I walk every day in the park, along with some other regulars. Through the years and in the neighborhood, I’ve met many people along the way, mostly retired men puttering in their yard looking for some distraction for a few minutes.
The Public Works Department is often in the park, mowing, trimming, emptying trash. My girlfriend got to be chatty with one of the guys who took an interest in her dog. He really, really liked her dog. Loved her dog. After months of conversing whenever they would see each other, he stopped to pet her dog and casually said, “We should go out for a drink some time.” She was a flustered mess, totally taken off guard and said, “Ummm, no, no, that’s not a good idea. I’m married.” To which he said………..
“Oh, that’s o.k. so am I.” Ya think he was faking the dog liking thing?
I never paid any attention to him, and have walked daily without being asked out by a city employee. I take a different route home than she does and pass the home of Barbie & Ken every day. I did not make that up. Ken’s been a friendly guy over the years, especially since the time his dog was running loose and tried to bite me in the leg.
Today when I walked by, he was in the backyard and called me over to the fence. Can I ask you a question? Sure. Does it bother you that I stop you on your walk to visit? No, not at all. Well, I just wanted to make sure because you’ve been coming at different times lately and I thought maybe you were trying to avoid me. No, some mornings I get out earlier than others. Well, good because I really have enjoyed getting to know you and I wouldn’t want to do anything to offend you. Other than your dog leaving teeth marks in my thigh, we’re fine. To which he said……..
“Sometimes I get lonely. That’s why I look for you in the morning. So we can talk.”
Sheesh.
