I was in the dairy section when I looked up and there he was. A regular customer that I wanted to get to know better outside of work.
He mentioned a 20 yr old daughter and I asked “How do you make it past 16 without wanting to KILL THEM DEAD??!!??” He reiterated the mantra I’ve been citing the entire time: You laid the groundwork, it’s hard, but you have to let her make her own decisions and be responsible for the outcome.
I told him how my issues with anxiety make me tend to flip out on her hardcore when it’s not really warranted – that I overreact.
He segued from that into his ex-wife’s mental issues and how difficult they’d been. And how she’d snapped and that led to their divorce. That she was making friendly overtures and he’d talked to his mama about it and welp….
“I’m just gonna be her friend”
You know what those italics mean, right? Yeah, you know what I mean. Of COURSE you know what it means.
Ex-sex.
I blinked, said “I hope that works out for you!” and took my leave, mind reeling and eyebrow twitching.