Ten Words Wednesday

       I was sitting on a bench waiting for the six o’clock bus when this old lady came up to me. She was carrying a bunch of bags but I didn’t feel like helping her. I just gave her that sympathy look, you know, when you give a phony smile and turn your head sideways.

 “Young darling, do you mind helping with my bags? My car is very far from here.” She entreated, her eyes were all wrinkly and her hands creped me out.


      If there is one thing I abhor, its old people. I know most people like him and so does the government. They get all the good stuff: good bus seats, nice parking spaces, and of course, our sympathy. I always throw a tirade whenever someone talks about old people.


“Don’t take this into amiss but...” I was interrupted by her grunt.


“I’m sorry to disturb you, O’ Dear, it’s just that I just got a hip replacement” she said, touching her back


“Sure, where is your car?” I asked, her nagging impelled me to help her


She pointed towards a blue SUV, she seemed too old to have one. I was despondent to catch the bus; her car was about a hundred yards away.


“Why did you park it so far?” I inquired


“Why? You think it wasn’t a sage idea?” she exclaimed, it was obvious she didn’t have affable manners and was irascible. “


“No, I’m just asking” although we were halfway there, the path seemed interminable.


We finally arrived and I helped her put it in the truck. I got a glimpse at her license plate.


“So, are you from New Jersey?” I said in a tremulous voice, scared that she will take it amiss.


“No, I’m from California, where there is sun, real, shining sun” she said as she started her car


She was whiter than chalk but I decided to keep that to myself


“Really, well, how long has it been since you’ve been there?” I inquired as she got settled in her car.


“Are you saying that I am too white?” she inquired, while she looked at her hands, she had known what I meant.


“Hey, you said it” I said as I went back to the bus station.


      As much as I didn’t like old people, I liked her. She was very funny, intimidating, and didn’t seem reclusive. I had missed the bus and was waiting for the second one to come. Although our conversation wasn’t profound, her voice kept haunting my taught. I was about to get on the bus when an old lady walked up to me and asked.


“Can you help with my bags?”