child labor

Yesterday, I was in Publix (shocker).  Now, if you know the Publix I shop in, then you know it is a haven for those with advanced style.  This being Florida, there are several retirement areas in the vicinity, and they all bring their limobusses to our Publix.  So, I am rounding the banana corner in produce when a particularly stylish woman on a motorized cart descends.  We all know babies are a magnet for old people, and Malcolm is no exception with his sparkling eyes and jolly demeanor. This woman was wearing a bright turquoise ensemble complete with matching eyeliner applied to the lower lash line only. She said, "Look at her, she is beautiful!" referring to Malcolm although I thought she was referring to Ceci, so I didn't correct her.  It actually wasn't until halfway through the conversation that I realized she thought Malcolm was a girl.  By then it would have been awkward to correct her.  Anyway, almost immediately I realized she was from New York.  And once I responded her initial greeting, she asked me where I was from.  (It's like a sixth sense) The she told me she had "only five" kids, and how much better New York was than Florida, except the weather, then she pointed to Malcolm and asked, "Does she work?"  I, completely bewildered, answered, "Uh...no."  She proceeded to tell me that if we were in NY, she (Malcolm) could work, and that all her kids worked.  At this point I am envisioning young children in factories behind sewing machines, and wondering, "Was this during the war?"  Then she says, "Well, it is a shame because she (Malcolm) could definitely model."   OH!  WORK!  Of course.  I agreed, she (Malcolm) was adorable and excused myself before Ceci realized this woman thought Malcolm was a girl and corrected her which would have been embarrassing all around.