I had a similar experience a few years back - but in reverse. The girl working the meat counter at the store was developmentally delayed and looked well- put together like the girl in your story. Most customers would miss the tell-tale signs but I had been teaching special needs students and picked up on the cues. Customers would get angry if she didn't respond quickly to their requests - ex. she could handle a request for 6 slices of oven-baked chicken but got confused when asked for 12 ounces. She was frustrated and would keep repeating, "but how many slices?". It made me realize we can't put people in bubble-wrap, although I wanted to protect this girl. I also realized how we presume everything should run efficiently and how impatient we become when they don't. It never occurs to most of us to consider the other person may have special needs, especially when these aren't visible. Good post, mere :)