A Moment set to Music

Looking at the world with music blasting in headphones is completely different that being in reality. You see a worker laugh and smile at the café you sit in and an older woman across the room looks worried and talks with earnest to her friends. Managers seem cocky and slightly rude, customers are either hurried or linger with no seeming in between. I wonder if they are happy or even mildly content with what the world has given them.

A little girl stares at my tattoos. I stick out my tongue at her while her mother isn’t looking and she ducks behind mom’s arms. I look away when her mom looks back at me. Every now and then at 28 I must act like I’m four. It is necessary for life. As I look back to my computer screen to avoid a mother’s stare I wonder if that little girl has a fighting chance. Does her mother protect her from evil looking tattooed women who stick their tongues out at their children? Does she protect more than that? Does she have the emotional bandwidth to give that little girl what she needs? I hope so.  They get up to go.. the girl turns around and sticks her tongue out at me. I smile. Well played little one. Well played.

The notes hit my ears as I see the world around me float by as if on beat. It’s Friday and there’s an air of ease. Labor day weekend is upon us and the light hearted feel of the majority of patrons is evident. The workers seem slightly bored if not in good spirits and the rooms I sit in slowly empties. I am quite alone with my music and my oatmeal cookies and tea.  It is a pleasant place to be. I sit in it. Slightly chilled by the air conditioning. I curse myself for leaving my jacket in the car as I get distracted by another bite of oatmeal cookie.