(no subject)
This happened a couple days after Layla died, but I never documented it and I want to remember.
As I was driving back from paying the water company a mass amount of money (for the collective irresponsibly of me and my roommates), I struggled trying to keep my head clear of everything that was going on lately. I neared my house, already late for work, and noticed a large van blocking driveway. I saw someone getting out and I thought about yelling at them, but there was room to park on the street and I figured confrontation was the last thing I needed right then. He had long white beard with earthy-looking clothes and a funny hat, the best word I could find for him was "hippie." I tried to not catch his attention as I hurried inside, but I wasn't quick enough.
"Excuse me! Do you live here?"
I turned around and walked towards him slowly.
"Yes sir."
He looked at me for a few moments, gauging how comfortable I seemed with him. I can only imagine I looked tense, angry, and defensive, ready to fight back. I figured he was here to offer more bad news, which was an everyday occurrence at the house for the past couple weeks.
"Um...a couple nights ago, me and my friend were standing on the street corner down here and...uh..." he choked "we heard a dog get hit by a car, and I was wondering if you knew anything about it."
My defensive stance broke and I let out a long breath, then tried to smile at him to show I was more comfortable with him than I had previously let off. I struggled trying to explain to him Layla's circumstances and what had happened. He listened without interruption, and right as the last word left my mouth, he embraced me in a huge hippie bear-hug.
"I'm so sorry."
I could see tears in his eyes as he pulled back. He didn't say much else as he got in his van and drove away. I went inside and got ready for work, finally with something new to think about, something that made me smile.
As I was driving back from paying the water company a mass amount of money (for the collective irresponsibly of me and my roommates), I struggled trying to keep my head clear of everything that was going on lately. I neared my house, already late for work, and noticed a large van blocking driveway. I saw someone getting out and I thought about yelling at them, but there was room to park on the street and I figured confrontation was the last thing I needed right then. He had long white beard with earthy-looking clothes and a funny hat, the best word I could find for him was "hippie." I tried to not catch his attention as I hurried inside, but I wasn't quick enough.
"Excuse me! Do you live here?"
I turned around and walked towards him slowly.
"Yes sir."
He looked at me for a few moments, gauging how comfortable I seemed with him. I can only imagine I looked tense, angry, and defensive, ready to fight back. I figured he was here to offer more bad news, which was an everyday occurrence at the house for the past couple weeks.
"Um...a couple nights ago, me and my friend were standing on the street corner down here and...uh..." he choked "we heard a dog get hit by a car, and I was wondering if you knew anything about it."
My defensive stance broke and I let out a long breath, then tried to smile at him to show I was more comfortable with him than I had previously let off. I struggled trying to explain to him Layla's circumstances and what had happened. He listened without interruption, and right as the last word left my mouth, he embraced me in a huge hippie bear-hug.
"I'm so sorry."
I could see tears in his eyes as he pulled back. He didn't say much else as he got in his van and drove away. I went inside and got ready for work, finally with something new to think about, something that made me smile.