Charity coffee trip results in wet pants. Girl sues Karma.

Thursday was grey and off and on drizzly. In between the rain drops I headed out with Joanna into the Village. I had invited Joanna along by asking her if she wanted to go puddle jumping with me. I had my umbrella with me but it would have better served me held to my side when an SUV crashed into a pothole, splashing the left leg of my pants. Unfortunate, but we carried on.

I had a craving for something warm and sweet. Starbucks was fresh out of single, dark-haired boys in cable-knits so I ordered a latte instead. I also requested a grande regular coffee to bring back for George. I just felt like doing something nice and George seemed like a good victim that day for some random kindness.

Apparently my spirits were not sufficiently dampened by the first splash attack and so Fate set me up to receive a complete dousing, this time from a city bus. Apparently a Cinnamon Dolce latte includes a shot of Prozac because I still managed to laugh it off. Some days you jump the puddle, and some days the puddle jumps you.

Now, I know, one should never do something nice with the expectation of something in return. In fact, I told George I only hoped he paid the kindness forward to someone else. However, I was admittedly a bit miffed at Karma. I didn't think I deserved the surprise cold shower.

Today I bought coffee out of the machine, which is usually just asking for trouble. I put in four quarters, two of them shiny and new. After it dispensed my drink, I anticipated the machine to release my 10 cents in change. Instead, it filled my cup and gave me all four quarters back! I won! Oh so happy was I. Karma had righted its wrong. I knew we couldn't fight for long.

I shared my happy story with George, Joanna, Amara, and Michael. Then I returned to my desk where I had an e-mail waiting for me. It was a note congratulating me on winning a prize in the draw I had entered at the United Way breakfast that morning.

New headline:

Girl wins suit against Karma to the tune of free coffee and a DVD prize

Says she plans to do what she can to share the luck.