Letters to Strangers

a salute to those who leave a mark

Dear Friend of the Stranger Who’s Oblivious,

I can’t see you because you’re behind the guy you’re talking with, and he’s blocking traffic with his grocery cart. He doesn’t notice me because he’s immersed in conversation with you.

I wait. And wait. And wait. I consider turning around and using an alternate route, but the store is crowded. A shortcut, I remember someone saying, is the longest distance between two points.

So I wait some more. Your friend moves, finally, but doesn’t glance in my direction. You do, and you seem horrified on his (and my) behalf. “I’m so sorry!” you say, with so much gusto I reassure you it’s fine with lots of gusto right back. And just when my thoughts turn back to my list -- “Where are those burritos again?” -- you add a postscript. “It’s my friend’s fault,” you say. “He’s slow.”

I laugh. Hard. Everything you need to know about either of us is in that exchange.

xoxo

The Woman Who’s Forever in Search of the Silly