Busy looking into whether or not I would be able to do so, I was not really focusing too much on him and more or less concentrating on my work. Finally, I look up at the name on his bottle... my eyes opened up wide.
I was standing in front of star NHL goalie Kari Lehtonen of the Atlanta Thrashers. I look up at his face, how the hell did I not recognize him before? I calmly ask him, "Are y-- you're the goalie for the Thrashers, right?" He said yes. A sly smile crept onto his face, it is not often that he is recognized in Atlanta without his uniform (or with it on for that matter).
Telling him I was a big fan, I mentioned to him that I saw his debut (which he won 2-1 by the way). He thanked me and I went on to fill his prescriptions. When ringing up his sale, he meets me at the register with his girlfriend. Before leaving I mention to him again that I hope he stays healthy this year and that they are not the same team without him (they aren't).
This time it was his girlfriend who took the compliment to heart. Letting out a soft, "Awwww," she pats Kari on the back, happy for his recognition. He thanks me and walks away. After a few moments, making sure he is out of viewing and hearing range, I do a little Tiger Woods fist bump. The two women working in the pharmacy with me have no idea what just transpired.
I ask them, "Do you know who that was?" They replied that they did not know. "That was Kari Lehtonen!" Silence. "You know, Kari Lehtonen... Thrashers goalie... anyone?"
Finally Tina, the pharmacist, joins the conversation and says, "Oh, so that's why his insurance is so good!" I dip my head in disappointment. At least I know what happened, and that is good enough for me.
A photo of the NHL goalie
Quite possibly the most Ebony and Ivory photo of all time
This now means that I've met two of the people in this photograph (note: I have no idea who the to person on the left is)
