It Was Nice to Meet You

'A doberman? How cute. I didn't notice. Will you be clipping his ears?'

We met at the pet store.

'No.' She looks perturbed.

'Good. I find that practice barbaric.'

Again. Confused, but pleased. We continue on.

A baby boy.

'That is so sweet.'

I say as we meet at my friend's home.

I ask of his sleep and watch as she changes him. Circumcized. Hm. Let's not continue speaking.

'Hello, my name is Chris, this is David, this is frank.'

His wife stands next to him with extended hand, but quickly puts it away

'Hello, my name is Jen'
I cut him off as I catch it midair

'Let's talk elsewhere as the men have their fun.'
We leave and ignore the stares. Arm in arm and she is terrified at what I've done. But she continues on.

'These kids just run around, causing problems, acting like they know how everything works.'

Another old lady. She's only thirty, but already, she speaks like a scorned mother. Carrying the hate due to her lack of control, her lack of willingness to learn and listen. Remember. She was them once. They are truth and you are a cowardly echo of what could have been.

'It was nice to meet you, ma'am,' I thought I was going to like you, until then. I loved how you spoke of flowers, but like that new life, you cannot blame them for failing to bloom. I take my leave.

'I don't get it, we had a reservation. We were a little late. Screw these people, were here to give them business and they give us an attitude. We'll see how they like that tip.'

I fold my napkin and look to my best friend.

"I have to go, love, Lugo just texted."

With a look to kill, I tell her friend

'It was nice to meet you'

I give a preemptive twenty spot to the waitress as I go.

I am too old to pretend I like you. I cannot change with a word or a thousand, nor would I waste my finite time on you, my loves, my lost, selfish, wastes of space that deem to waste mine. Oh no. I am old. And I do not have the time.