January 2, 2010
Goodwill
Ballard, Seattle, Washington

Waiting in line to buy picture frames and old LPs, chatting with Anabelle and Robbie, when a woman in the next line interrupts us.
“I just had to say that you look so cute, with your little jacket and your hat. It’s adorable,” she says. I am wearing my leather jacket and a grey cabbie hat.
“Why, thank you,” I respond.
“Now that I’m an old lady, I just tell people whatever comes to mind,” she continues. Her hair is thin and gray, piled loosely on top of her head; her glasses Coke-bottle; she wears some sort of muumuu and leans on her cart.

“I hope it doesn’t ruin your day that some old lady thinks you look cute.”