*****
My
adult son and I were in the game store when an old man in his 70's peered inside
the glass door his left making a door on the side of his left cheek
notices
me and smiles widely, eagerly pulling open the store door, flashing
his yellow teeth at me he catches his breath before speaking, his
eyes change
and
he says to me "Oh, I thought you were my wife, I'm sorry, "
and walked out seeking his missing white-haired mate. This was just today, when I was forty-something. I wondered if I was the lost one.
*****
I
went to the racetrack to bet on the ponies this season, but really to
see a concert for free-when you stay and play, you do not have to pay
for the show. You have already paid-with losses.
While
standing in the security line, among all ilks and ages, an older
woman in her 60’s, with purple-white spiked hair smiled at me while
simultaneously giving me elevator eyes. “Such a cute outfit,” she
said pointing up and down my body. “I get to see what all the
people wear, it is one of the reasons I love this job, it helps me
stay in touch.” I smiled and thanked her. She added since the line
had not progressed, “Just a bit ago though-I saw the saddest thing.
A young man wore a jacket that had a cross, crossed out! So so sad!
And underneath that it read ‘Bad Religion’ and I wondered who in
his life had taught him about God, who steered him the wrong way?”
I smiled wider, “That is a band.” Her mouth fell open, her face
flushed, we laughed lightly together and all moved on. I now had
second thoughts about my outfit.
*****
I
had both of my children when I was young, younger than most women. I
wanted to have the energy and relatability of a young mother. Now
that they are adults and all the adults my own age have young
school-age children I am even more pleased with my naive choice, I am
unable to relate to my peers but have found my relationship with my
own adult children in full bloom. They are wildflowers. I don’t
even water them. They grow how they want, I observe their new beauty
and admire their lack of fear when sticking their petals out tall.
Strangers always mistake my daughter for being much younger than she
is, my son is afraid of strangers. Other people are stranger than my
children. We are all old enough to know there will not be enough
time. We are all adults trying to save our childhood.
Painting by Jacopo da Empoli, 2nd half of the 16th century in [Public domain].
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