Hot flash on the highway

“On a work trip to North Dakota, my business partner, Cory, and I were driving to pick up an important client for a fancy lunch meeting. It was the dead of winter, so I’d prepared for the frigid weather by bundling up under multiple heavy layers.

“But as we pulled up to our client’s office, a hot flash hit me like a ton of bricks. As Cory announced he was going inside to fetch our client, I held my breath until he got out of the car, then frantically stripped off my hat, scarf and mittens, breathing deeply. My coat quickly followed, then my blazer as I frantically fanned myself.

“As I dabbed at the sweat pouring down my face and neck, I considered opening all the windows and letting in the freezing air, but decided against it since it would be an icebox when our client got in the car. So I did my best to suffer through and collect myself.

“When they returned and the client got into the back seat, I turned to say hello…and realized with horror that his glasses had completely fogged over! ‘Wow! It’s a sauna in here!’ he laughed jovially, not realizing it was my hot flash that had completely steamed up the car. Luckily, his fogged-up glasses prevented him from seeing how red my cheeks were!”

—Emily Dawkins, 55, Chicago