I walked in tired and hungry. I was greeted with a smile and asked, “Table for one?” I nodded and was directed to the second table from the entrance.
As soon as I sat down, I heard them. It was impossible to tune them out. Every sentence seemed to end with an exclamation point. Even without looking at them I could tell they were impossibly young. I never looked directly at them, but the glow of their cheeks bursting with exuberance still managed to catch my eye.
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There were two of them: a young man and a young woman barely out of childhood. They appeared to be longtime friends that hadn’t seen each other in awhile, reconnecting over Thanksgiving break. They did not seem to be romantically involved, but the possibility of future involvement was hovering in the air.
For a second, I thought they would irritate me with their chatter, but they didn’t. You see their chatter wasn’t truly chatter. They were interesting and interested. They talked about books the other might like. They shared tales of trips they’ve taken. They were not bitter or angry or sarcastic or cynical. They were smart, but not smug. They seemed privileged, but compassionate and aware. They seemed happy and hopeful and they made me feel happy and hopeful for them.
Their food for the most part lay on their plates being ignored. They were far too busy talking to actually eat. When the check came he said, “Oh wow, I would consider it such an honor if you would please let me get this. I’ve just really enjoyed talking to you and would you be okay with me paying?” I wanted to lean over and tell her to say yes, but she accepted the gift on her own.
When they left, the place seemed too quiet.
Was I ever that young and full of hope? Were you?
Image via 128539140@N03/Flickr
I was!! I don’t hardly remember it though.
You are still exuberant!
I hope I was – but I also hope I still am!
So nice that you enjoyed being a part of their conversation instead of dreading it the whole time.
These gals do sound interesting. I’ve long past feeling cool enough to hang with folks in their 20’s. And I am only 34. I am pathetic.
Young, confident, and full of so much hope, I made the sunshine look dim.
Boy, now is not a good time for me to even think about that. Passion. Enthusiasm for life. Energy. Ouch.
Wonderful story…. I guess I was, but it is hard to remember!!
LOL… I’m sure we all were at some point in our lives! Nice memories.
Sure we were! We just forget that exuberance as we age!
What a nice story. Nostalgic.
Oh, this makes me sad. I was! I did! I’ve become so dang jaded…
Also, PMSy.
Sigh.
What a great conversation to overhear.
I like to think I was. Yes, I think so. I love it when stuff like that happens. Great moment!
They sound lovely, which is sometimes hard to come by with some people. I’m glad you were able to witness such a pleasant exchange. 🙂
like it – thanks for sharing
My memory seems to recall moments such as these before I was jaded. Thank you for sharing this poignant story.
I love this one.
I can’t quite remember whether I was ever that young. On most days I feel beaten. Known too much (even though I know I am quite sheltered so the “seen/known too much” sounds ridiculous to those who have truly gone through hell…) I am fascinated by the young. The fearlessness. If you go to a campus town, you notice that everybody jaywalks in front of cars, it’s like they KNOW they can’t be killed. Did I ever feel that way? Now I am “prudent”. After a while, I always needed to force myself to turn my gaze ’cause I felt like a vampire, a witch, willing myself to acquire this magic force to suck up their youth. Then that would be just plain wrong. And creepy of course.
I’m too old to remember!
I love how you described them as being so positive and happy. Your description of them is an example for us all to strive for at any age.
I’m too old to remember if I was ever young but I do love a good chit-chat.
xo jj
I like to think I still have that hope! I’ve just had to aim my hope elsewhere when wisdom got just as big as hope. Very good story M.
Perhaps I was.. it was eons ago, though. I’m glad you enjoyed your unaware companions.
Whether young or old, it’s nice to see 2 long lost friends enthralled in such an engaging conversation. And, he was such a gentleman offering to pay.
Wow. I don’t know that I ever was, but that is AWEsome. I wish more people were like that. Great scene to witness!
I would have really enjoyed listening to that conversation. I tend to be a people watcher (or starer as my husband affectionately says) so I would have been intrigued with it all.
I think we are all full of hope at one time and so incredibly young and then life throws us some interesting curves…….
but all in all, we really do have good lives and are truly blessed when compared to so many others 🙂
betty
I think I was….it’s so hard to remember though!
I hope my kids are like that.
Er… I don’t remember.
I think I am more hopeful as I have grown older and a bit wiser. hope you are well.
I’ve missed your writing. I’m glad to be back. I have. and Am. that hopeful! And I love when I meet people who are similarly full of hope. (It’s contagious you know…) 🙂
I was once a very long time ago. [sigh] and now I have to go have a little cry.
I love glimpses of people like this…makes me think and wonder about their lives…I was young once but never full of hope like this.
As a matter of fact, while reading this post, I was picturing myself with a good friend from college. He’s in Heaven now, but I know we will have that moment again one day.
Wow, that brought back memories. What a beautifully written record of your quiet observations. Reading this made me both sad and hopeful. I WAS like that at one point, so energized, so talkative. But I’ve gotten older, I’ve seen things, I’ve learned things, I’ve made mistakes. I have wisdom on my side, but sometimes I just want to trade it in for the kind of youthful optimism you saw at the next table. Thanks for sharing this, it was really lovely. – G
Yes – that is what we were like!
And maybe still are… ?
How lovely. That would definitely have made me smile.
This is just beautiful. I love captured moments like this.
Hey chica! I have always been full of hope but I believe I am more humble, less angry and less judgemental than I was in my youth. I hope I behaved in your pregnancy dream. I miss you too and I miss my blog, but noboy naps around here anymore. Good luck on the audition.
What a treat; that experience. I love it.
I know I was never that smart! But my son & his girlfriend are & I love that about them. Most of their Christmas list is books!! So glad you enjoyed listening to them.
hi Mami, Stopping back to say congrats on your POTW from Hilary.
xo jj
Thank you!
Moments like this is one of the many reasons I love dining alone, especially to a late breakfast. It’s the perfect time to soak in the conversations and people watch around me or just dive into a good book. I was never like that when I was younger but I sure as am nowadays!
Great story, scene, setting – I can almost believe I’m there with you listening in! Yes, I used to have that hope (tho maybe not those manners lol) Hopefully someday I’ll have it back – I catch glimpses of it now and then….
I always try to keep my sense of wonder, I don’t want to grow old and cynical. It’s hard, though. I remember once a relative of my husband arrived at our house full of joy with his wedding invitation and I found it hard to see his face, full of hope and joy now that his parents had found a girl for him (because that’s the way it works in India, or rather has until now.)
“Getting married? Oh, you poor thing!” I exclaimed, laughing. Looking at his puzzled expression, I was quick to pat his arma and say, “only joking!”
But the truth is, I’d been in his place just ten years previously, deliriously full of hope and joy. Then, after marriage, disillusionment sets in with problem pregnancies, tension with the spouse (sometimes) and the mother-in-law matters (less said the better!) If I’d known all that was ahead, would I have gone ahead? Probably! But still….
Yes, I was. I think, for the most part, I still am.
Had to laugh at your eavesdropping. It’s one of my favorite sports.