Nancy’s Birthday Party

Each day I think I have been getting stronger. I made it upstairs twice today and felt pretty good.

Tonight was Nancy’s Birthday Party. Dena had planned our attendance meticulously including a babysitter at Nancy’s house not far from the venue in Walnut Creek. I don’t want to disappoint Dena so I figure I can do this (albeit that I can’t have any alcohol) and we drop the kids off and head for the venue. Parking in Walnut Creek is always difficult and we end up round the corner from the restaurant. For me it’s a big corner though and I find that the walk really is very tiring indeed. Still I make it and hook up with Bob, Marty and Ann (Marty’s sister).

We all get round a table and are joined by one other couple. At first I feel sorry for the couple since they don’t know us and can’t really join in the conversation. Little did I know they were just biding their time, waiting not just to insert themselves into our discussions, but to divert, control and monopolize the conversation to focus solely on them and how wonderful their life as retirees has been. They go on and on, ignoring all verbal and visual clues that we really didn’t want to know anymore about their little lives guiding bus loads of old people around Mexico or their love English Breakfast tea in the middle of the night.

"You should try retirement too." the guy tells Bob without any knowledge or consideration of his circumstances.

After the couple finally left I congratulated Bob on not decking the guy and so did Dena!