The Modern Gal currently is sitting in a miserable little place called the Birmingham (Ala.) International Airport, trying to get to Tampa for a little business soiree, though it’s starting to appear that’s not in the stars today.

And to make matters worse, I’m sitting across from a frumpy middle-aged lady who has, laying on top of her polka-dot carry-on bag in the seat next to her, … wait for it … THE green coat.

(For those of you who’ve forgotten THE green coat, you may read the backstory here and here is the photo:)

For those who weighed in on the decision of whether to keep or return the coat, I have not once regretted my decision and the coat has been by my side, or rather on my side, for three weeks since. I did, however, leave it at home today as my final destination today is a very balmy Tampa.

But we have reached the part of the program where we realize when that we get what we pay for when we shop at ubiquitous clothing chains like Old Navy, and that is a frumpy lady sitting across from you at a miserable airport with YOUR beloved coat.

There’s also a girl standing up by the check-in counter with the same crocheted tunic top that I bought at Target to wear on Christmas night, though at least she’s in The Modern Gal’s age range and her top is cream rather than brown.

Oh wait. There’s a youngish, modern-looking gal approaching the frumpy lady and she’s picking up THE green coat and laying it in her lap as she sits down. PHEW, close call on that one. I was worried for a moment that my modern gal instincts were way off base and more in line with a middle-aged frumpy lady.

Of course, the newly discovered owner of the green coat is wearing a cable-knit top just like my J.Crew cable-knit sweater and holding a pink Katana cell phone like my own and wearing imitation Uggs like the ones sitting at home in my closet.

Sigh.