Saturday, January 12, 2008

Well, Hel--LO.

When you reach eighty-three, and there is no romance in your life, your brain goes soft.  It turns to mush, I think.

I rolled to the market on my scooter and cruised the aisles picking up this and that.  At one point a nice Persian lady who I used to know at the old folks home with whom I had nice friendly conversations, her being the beauty and barbershop operator, greeted me with a enthusiastic "Well, Hel-LO."

When you are surprised with a greeting that is more friendly than you expect, you are caught off-guard.  My ancient brain jumped out of gear and my social skills evaporated.  I had slipped into neutral, so to speak.

I was able to make small talk for a few moments, somehow, and then she asked, "Would you like to go for coffee? Oh, I just baked a pie. How does that sound?"

Pie? I wasn't hungry and I answered automatically, "Uh, no thanks."

She shrugged and murmured something and went on.

A few moments later...when my brain rose to the surface for air, I asked myself, "What did I just do?"  I looked for the lady , but she was not in sight.  Did I mention that I had gone to the market because I was bored and there was nothing to do?

I kicked myself all the way home.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I can't believe you turned down coffee and pie!! <grin>

OK, OK... What I really can't believe is you turned away from company from a nice woman!  I don't think you will have to wait until in the morning to regret this... sounds like you already do!

Jackie

Anonymous said...

chuck buddy?
Pie , coffee ,nice persian lady,conversation and you did what?
Were you playing hard to get?