On the bus going home I heard a most fascinating conversation between an old man and woman. 'What a thing, though,' the old woman said. 'You'd hardly credit it.' 'She's always made a fuss of the whole family, but never me,' the old man said. 'Does she have a fire when the young people go to see her?' 'Fire?' 'She won't get people seeing her without warmth.' 'I know why she's doing it. Don't think I don't,' the old man said. 'My sister she said to me, 'I wish I had your easy life.' Now that upset me. I was upset by the way she phrased herself. 'Don't talk to me like that,' I said. 'I've only got to get on the phone and ring a certain number,' I said, 'to have you stopped.'' 'Yes,' the old woman said, 'And you can, can't you?' 'Were they always the same?' she said. 'When you was a child? Can you throw yourself back? How was they years ago?' 'The same,' the old man said. 'Wicked, isn't it?' the old woman said. 'Take care, now' she said, as the old man left her. He didn't say a word but got off the bus looking disgruntled.

Family·Relationships·Aging·Conversation·Public