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To The Old Man At The Grocery Store
We were in the Tesco, checking out the discounted section in refrigerated goods. You had white hair and a camouflage jacket. You shared a laugh with us.
Then we passed you again in the eggs and sugar section. Your Cockney tones rose high above my head to debate Biden’s possession of papers with a store stocker.
As I froze between the two of you, ignoring my partner’s request that I choose caster or granulated, I just couldn’t help but enjoy the moment. I was hearing politics in public again and I hadn’t started it. (This is happening more and more lately, by the way.)
Anyway, as you two reached a denouement, I chose my moment.
“Well, things are pretty bad here, so when are you guys starting a revolution in this country?” I asked, in peak loud American tones.
The store stocker laughed “Yeah, things are terrible here right now, I’ll tell ya.” Back to his stocking, shaking his head.
“We are headed for a civil war in both countries it seems. It really does.” you insisted. We could see your sparkling, bright eyes, your cheery smile and the regal cut of your general jib. The camo jacket was the real bait for me, I admit.
You asked where I was from. I told you. You had been to my hometown, which did not surprise me. You look as if you…