yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah. You know that’s the way I like it. Mmmmm, slow and smooth, baby, baby, baby, oh, you know how to give me what I want. Yes, yes, yes, oh ye–
I hear, “Sir, excuse me.”
Coming out of my semi-daze, I struggle to focus. It was a rough night; sleep seems so much harder the older you get.
The first thing I see is my Starbucks cup. The coffee must be cold by now.
The next thing I see is the hand on my forearm that shook me awake.
“Sir,” the woman says again, sounding a bit heated. “Would you mind? My children are sitting right here.” She jabs that angry hand in their direction. “If you don’t mind, please keep your nasty talk to yourself.”
I stare at her face. ”I’m sorry, ma’am, I was half asleep just now. Nasty talk? What did I say?”
“Well, I never. That’s a pretty lame excuse, sir. Just keep your sex fantasies to yourself. And if you can’t control them, you take your dirty daydreaming nap at home.”
Confused, I say, “My sexual fantasies? Sorry, but what do you mean?”
“Hah!” she says. “As if I’m supposed to parrot back to you your filthy words.”
She shakes her head angrily, gives me a nasty look, stands abruptly, and whisks her children away.
The only thing I can think of is that I must have been saying something prompted by whatever daydream I was having. Sexual fantasy? Geez. I think I remember having some of those about a hundred years ago. But at my age? I barely remember what they’re supposed to be about.
“Hey,” says a smooth voice behind me.
I turn to look at her. She’s an older woman. I guess she’s maybe ten years younger than I am. She’s beautiful.
“Yes?”
“I couldn’t help overhearing that woman scolding you for what you were saying.”
Thinking I must have offended this woman as well, I say, “I’m so sorry about whatever it was I said. I was daydreaming. Half out of it. I’ve been having trouble sleeping. Old age stuff.”
She smiles. “I did hear what you said and, well, I didn’t find it offensive at all.”
Thankful, I say, “Oh, well, I’m glad about that.”
“You know,” she says, rising and moving to a chair beside me. “I know what you mean. I’ve been having trouble sleeping, too. Maybe it is an age-related problem, but you know what?”
“What?”
“I think you and I could figure out our sleeping problem together.”
She rests her hand on mine and smiles.
I am up now. “I, well, ah, that sounds like a very solid plan,” I say, moving my other hand to rest on top of hers.
Lanning Lee 