Gary made it clear this morning that no matter his promises last night, he would not be joining me on any errand or shopping trips today. I got hungry between three and four and decided to go to Sherlock’s, because Gary screams whenever I suggest it. (He had an unfortunate brunch there.)
I sat down next to two older ladies who were slinging back beers. I eavesdropped enough to realize they were with a seniors meetup group. I looked up Meetup Groups : Travel while I ate.
By the time my meal came there were twelve of them. They’d taken all my spare chairs. By the time I paid there were twenty of them, including one older man who had a go-to joke:
“Are you married?” [answer: yes] “Do you cheat?” [answer: no] “Will you lie still while I do?” [Hilarity ensues.]
So, when they saw I was leaving a few of them came over and said I could join them. How nice of you, I said, but no thank you, I need to be on my way.
“You know what our group is called?” one asked.
“What it’s called? No. Is it some type of senior meetup group? I just turned fifty yesterday.” I AM NOT ONE OF YOU. IT’S TOO SOON. TOO SOON!
“Our group is called ‘Why Eat Alone?’” she said, and put a hand on my shoulder. She looked at me with pity while others rose and came to my table. ONE OF US ONE OF US.
“No,” I protested, “I’m just alone because my husband had his wisdom teeth pulled yesterday.”
One-Joke Man jumped in and asked, “Do you cheat?”
5 responses to “Feeling My Age, Part Two: The Assimilation”
Ya know…this may be worth consideration for those days when Gary is out of sorts and won’t go play. Er, I don’t mean the guy. I meant the meetup group.
I feel your pain. Especially as I might be termed one of the ‘older ladies’ to whom you refer (NOT 60 YET!). It’s especially tough to be the youngest in the family, with an older husband and so normally the youngest in the social group, to realise that suddenly I’m the oldest person in the groups I often find myself in these days. It’s shocking.
I wonder what he would respond with were the lady in question to respond in the affirmative?
I turn 53 on Wednesday. I have to say I neither look nor act the part-ever young at heart and all that. My mother was a train wreck health wise at this age. The not smoking thing makes a huge impact at this point.!
They like to recruit hot new youngun’s – can you blame them?
Belated Happy 50th – my take on 50 is, you are officially old enough to do anything you want.
Becs – Oh, I’m already looking at meetup groups. Not that crowd, though.
Big Dot – This group didn’t have anything interesting to eavesdrop to. I think you’d be interesting.
Zayrina – Mom was a train wreck at 13, and Dad was dead. Good perspective.
Mare – So it’s official now? Well, now it’s no fun.