The sidewalk holds diamonds like a jewlery store case
As I sat in the local watering hole today, I was (un)fortunate enough to end up beside a man who loved to talk.
There`s nothing wrong with casual conversation, but at some point people need to take the hint that the other party just might not be interested.
I was told stories about his life as a cop, of which he spent 35 years doing, how he just recently found out that his grandfather was murdered in 1922, not from the original natural cause of death, the carpenter who renovated the pub and the happenings going on in the blue collar society of this diminishable city.
He owns a store in town. Which one, I couldn`t tell you. I didn`t ask.
At this point, this is where the most obvious of hints was dropped. Had I been interested in becoming engaged in a conversation about marginal and arbitrary topics, I would have faked the interest and asked which store he owned. Truth be told, even if I had asked, I wouldn`t have cared, just as I didn`t care enough to not ask.
I`ve realized that this is perhaps one of my greatest downfalls - my inability to cut strangers off mid sentence and basically tell them that they`re wasting their breath trying to strike a conversation.
Either way, it was interesting to try and disect that man`s live in my head as he rambled on, unaware his words were falling upon deaf ears. I couldn`t help but wonder where he`s been, what he`s done and how he go to be sitting there beside me.
It caused an instant flash forward for my own life, wondering not only where I would be when I was his age, but also what life would be like at that point. How much would really truly change in this world when that time comes. All of those answers are left to be determined, and all I can do is script the path in which I will take my steps through life.
As I sipped my beer, he just kept going, bound and determined to get me to exult more than just a “yep“ or and “uh huh“. It wasn`t happening, but I found it amusing, and I applaud his effort.
As my drink began to disappear, so too did his interest in continuing his failed attempts at getting me to talk. As I paid my tab I said goodbye and Happy New Year, despite that it`s three days old already.
As I began to walk away, he smiled and returned the sentiment.
Looking back at it now I think he was lonely and just wanted someone to talk to. While I don`t terribly regret my decision to feign interest in what he had to say, I do wish I had at least pretended to care a little more.
It`s funny how the most seemingly insignificant moments in life can cause you to come home and script it out on a page for reflection.
Here`s to hoping that life is filled with many more of them.
Until then …
