strangers

one of the interesting meetings i've had was meeting at random someone named Albert.  this was in a bookshop cafe while i was waiting to meet a lady friend.  i don't remember anymore how the conversation started; although i do know i didn't start it.  the man was at the next table, one of those extrovert types who, when they find themselves alone, are easy to begin conversations and find common grounds with strangers.  

we found we were both temporarily in the city: his flight out was the next day, he said; mine was that coming weekend.  that also, surprisingly, we were both from the same university; graduates of different years.  the world is small.

we swap university stories:  student organizations we participated in; university places; graduate scholarships.  how we moved forward since then.  when i noticed the book titles he was holding, he said he had done service: twice in Afghanistan, he said.  said he was now in the UN.  told service stories.  noticeable how his books were all about the war; and even though i wondered why he would care to read more about these when he's been there himself, i didn't ask.

so he said he was also once married.  to a jewish woman.  that the divorce was not messy; that they remained friends; that he would still meet her between now and then and give her gifts between now and then; that he once gave her an antique-something because she collects antiques; etc.

my ladyfriend rang, said she was close, walking her way to the bookshop.  i said i'll meet her at the door and wrapped the conversation with Albert:  how we might happen to meet again, one in a hundred, maybe five, given the crossing of latitudes, but who knows? haha! 

she was by the doorway when i saw her.  she must have seen the man because she asked who i was talking with a table away from mine.  and before i could answer, she said, "a military man?"  not entirely wrong, not entirely correct either.  i asked, "what made you think so?"

she said, "obvious from the way he looks."