After going out with some co-workers to lunch at a Lebanese restaurant, we piled into a car to head back to work.  I took the backseat and was stationed next to a child car seat.  As we drove along, I noticed that I smelled.  I smelled of the falafel sandwich that I had just enjoyed.

My mind raced through possible explanations.  Perhaps I simply smelled like the restaurant that we had just departed.  Nope, too strong of a scent.  Perhaps my pores were already passing along some of the yummy garlic.  No, it was far too strong of a smell.  Perhaps I was just a stinky, stinky man, who should be dropped off on the side of the road and soon would become known as that “Falafel Guy” to a the locals.  Well, that seems a little harsh, but my new found body odor certainly deserved such a future.

What could I do to save myself?  What was the solution to my dilemma?  Should I make a Walgreen’s run and coat myself in body spray?  Should I eat a box of Tic Tacs and hope that the minty smell would counteract my lunch?  Should I go to the gym not to work out, but rather to take a shower?  A shower involving lots and lots of body wash.

Self conscious?  Oh you bet I was self conscious.  Odds were that if the smell was so strong that I noticed, others could too.  Plus, since we were in the tight confines of the SUV, they probably already knew.  Knew that their co-worker stunk like lunch and needed to be banished to an outside cubicle on a cold winter day.

Just as I was losing all hope, I glanced down.  Down upon the adjacent child car seat.  My eyes caught glimpse of the answer.  Sitting oh so close and within the safety of an impact resistant transportation device was my co-worker’s to-go box from the restaurant.  Left overs, rather than me, were the culprit.  I had been exonerated.  Cleared of all smell related charges.

I breathed deep and smiled.  The scent of falafel was once again good.  Good to be riding next to me and not emanating from my inner self.