Familiar Stranger

As Lynette paced across the public square, a certain sight stopped her in her tracks.

Her eyes narrowed, peering at a face, as dozens of strangers walked around her, headed in various directions.

Most in her wanted to keep moving forward—after all, she had a lot to get done on her To Do list today and not a lot of time left to do it! But she also couldn’t shake this face’s weird attraction.

As the woman stood there, Lynette thought she looked so familiar, but she just couldn’t place where or how she knew her.

Lynette looked away for a moment, ahead and towards the direction she’d been headed just a few seconds ago, with a pull telling her to keep moving forward towards her day’s goals.

But something else told her to turn back—to look again at the familiar face.

And so she did.

After struggling some more moments to try and remember how she knew this woman—who she was, where she’d seen her before—her curiosity was so overwhelming that she finally decided to eliminate the mystery and go find out.

She began towards her, walking slowly and steadily in the woman’s direction.

For the first time, she noticed the woman seemed to not only also notice her but seemed to be just as curious, possibly recognizing Lynette, and trying to also figure out exactly how she knows her.

Lynette felt relieved she wasn’t the only one thinking this stranger looked oddly familiar and so close yet so distant in memory. And that she wasn’t the only one curious and intent on solving the mystery.

When finally a few feet away, she began to smile to show she was friendly and didn’t mean any harm.

She was comforted that the woman gave the same reassuring smile back.

“Hey!” she said with cautious disarming energy. “Umm I’m sorry, but do we know each other? You look so familiar, but for some reason, I can’t place you, and it’s been driving me crazy. And apologies if we have met—you know, I’ve known so many people in my life, and I swear as I get older, it’s getting harder and harder to remember the specifics, especially faces.”

Lynette continued. “You know, after a while, everyone just kinda starts to blend together,” she laughed, and the woman laughed with her.

As their brief laughter slowed down, Lynette stood looking at her, waiting for the woman to chime in. Instead, she just stared back at Lynette.

“So, umm,” Lynette cleared her throat. “Have we met before? And any idea where and how?”

The woman, appearing just as puzzled, wasn’t readily offering any answers.

“I mean, maybe… The gym?” Lynette offered. “I work out quite a bit. Not as much lately. I’ve been feeling a bit more tired—again, this whole ‘growing old’ thing, ya’ know!” She chuckled again—this time, more awkwardly.

“Was it… Work? Did we used to work together? I mean, I’ve been retired for a few years now, but it’s possible we worked together…at some point.”

That didn’t seem to ring any bells for the woman as she remained silent.

“Did you ever work for the schools, perhaps? I spent a good amount of time as a teacher. Oh how I really loved that kind of work—being with the little kiddies. It was so rewarding, just being able to help teach and guide young minds every day.

And they’d be so fun—I swear they helped keep me young—younger than I would’ve been otherwise! I remember this one time,”—Lynette’s face drifted towards the sky—“I was chaperoning recess, and this child—one of my favorites, even though of course you’re not supposed to have favorites…”—She waved down towards the woman— “But he was one of my favorites because he was always the underdog, you know? Underestimated by the other teachers—even by his own parents, made fun of by the other kids, and just overall tending to be counted out in life! Well, he came up to me that day at recess and said ‘Ms. Brittle, I think I’m going to be alright. Thanks to you.’ He really said that! He just did it randomly! In the middle of recess! Just ran up to me, said that, and then ran back off to playing. Such a seemingly small thing, but it didn’t feel small to me! Oh, it warmed my heart so much and is something that’s still with me to this day.

Even when teaching would be a bit of a struggle at times—trying to deal with the administration, managing parents, all of the daunting paperwork, not having enough supplies, and even the kids, themselves, sometimes! Their behavior!—I would think back on that one little moment—that one little line. From that one child that was reason I did it. The reason I did any of it! It was the whole reason I got into it. For those little lines. So, in the end, it made it all worth it.”

Lynette looked back at the woman. “Oh, I’m so, so sorry, I’m just here running my mouth, rambling on about something you probably even couldn’t care less about. I honestly almost forgot you were here!”

The woman smiled, seeming to be touched by her story and reminiscing.

“Truthfully, it’s a little easy to forget you’re here. You don’t really say much!” Lynette chuckled awkwardly again.

Kind of feels a little like I’m talking to myself. Oh I don’t mean that rudely. You seem very sweet.

Are you just really shy or something? It’s okay—if you can tell, I won’t bite! Oh wait,” said Lynette as her face briefly scrunched in concern. “Are you maybe one of those mute people or somethin’? Or maybe you speak a different language? Hablo Espanol?”

Lynette’s face soon went from puzzlement back to warmth. “You know, it’s okay. Maybe you’re just a woman of few words! I probably could learn a thing or two from that, myself—I can talk more than enough for the both of us!!”

The woman continued to warmly smile.

“But umm hmmm, how else might we know each other…

Maybe…what part of town do you stay in? I’m in Reader’s Park, about 20 minutes from here. You ever heard of it? It’s really nice. I’ve been living there for over 20 years!

And wow, I’ve seen it change so much…but I still love it—it’s safe, it’s familiar and really comforting. The people are also really nice, so I love that. And most importantly, I know where everything is!!” She chuckled. “Been going to the same grocery store, the same bank, the same gas station and park for years. I honestly can’t even imagine living anywhere else at this point. My kids have been wanting me to move—to come live with them or at least live closer. But they live all the way in Phoenix! That’s where we’re from originally. And I just can’t. It’s too hot out there! And I’ve been so used to living on the East Coast for so long. But they say they’re concerned about me getting older and being out here by myself—want to keep an eye on me and whatnot.

Especially after this last time my daughter came to visit a few weeks ago. Now they’re really pushing it. I mean, just this morning when we were on the phone, she was practically begging me. Can you believe that?

But I’m a big girl! Shoot, I raised them. How are they gonna think they know what’s best for me and that they need to watch me? They even talked about trying to get me into a senior community. A senior community?! Do I look like someone who needs to be in a senior community?!?

I’ve always been a big believer that you’re only as old as you feel, and I feel pretty damned great! I don’t want to be bogged down with a bunch of old people. I still feel young! And I don’t need no watchin’!

Plus, I think they just want me closer because they’re tired of having to fly out here a few times a year. And probably want their own free, live-in babysitter. Just whatever’s most convenient and helpful for them. But what about me? Does anybody care about me? Do I not matter? I have a whole life here. I mean don’t get me wrong, I would love to be able to see my grandchildren a lot more often, but I just love it here so much. It’s what I know. It’s where I live—where I’ve lived. It’s familiar. It’s home.

Besides, I like my freedom. Being able to come and go as I please, do as I please, you know?”

Lynette paused for a moment as she reflected on that idea. She realized that’s the first time she said those things out loud—speaking about her beloved home and what it had come to mean to her. The words felt foreign in a way, but also very close.

She gathered herself again before continuing.

“Have you been in that area? I mean, I’m sure you probably don’t live there, because I swear it seems like no one I ever meet is from there. If I didn’t know any better, I might be inclined to think it’s just a town with a population of one: Me!” Her joke tickled, and Lynette noticed it seemed to tickle the other woman as well.

But no, I know it isn’t just me living there! I know that’s silly. After all, I can’t play pickleball by myself!

And I sure do! Every Tuesday and Thursday, at Reader’s Park Community Center, like clockwork. I’m out there just a-paddlin’ away! It’s so fun. And kinda therapeutic, being able to work out that energy—especially since I’m not doing real workouts as much these days.

And I meet all kinds of nice and interesting people. Oh wait. Maybe that’s how we know each other? Do you play pickleball?

I guess not. I guess it isn’t for everybody. But I sure do enjoy it and look forward to continuing to play for many more of years to come!

Lynette’s eyes settled on the other a moment.

“Oh I love your hair, by the way!” exclaimed Lynette. “It reminds me of the kind of style I would wear… Actually, I might’ve worn it! At some point or another. And your outfit—it is so cute. And your makeup, yes! You really got it goin’ on! Have good taste.

Makes me think of me back in the day.

Hey, say, maybe that’s why you look so familiar—maybe we don’t actually know each other, you just kinda remind me a bit of myself, especially in my younger days. Yeah, maybe that’s it. Especially since it doesn’t too much seem like you remember how we know each other either! I guess we both got it goin’ on!!”

Lynette leaned in towards the woman and laughed.

“Well anyway, I know I’ve just been a-chattin’! But I gotta be goin’—you know, get to these errands and whatnot. My kids think I’m not able do these kinds of things as well anymore, so I gotta prove them wrong! You know? Don’t want them trying to put me in a nursing home or anything.”

Well, it was nice meeting and speaking with you…even though I know I didn’t give you much of a chance to speak,” she chuckled again. “Sorry about that… But I guess you’re just as clueless as me about where we might’ve met before!

Anywho, maybe I’ll see you around again sometime. You take care! Enjoy the rest of your day!”

Lynette waved at the woman, and the woman waved back.

She waited for the woman to turn but was surprised she didn’t—interestingly seeming to wait for Lynette to turn first.

Just then, a young girl approached.

“Umm, excuse me,” the girl said.

Lynette looked as the girl looked where Lynette had just been looking.

She watched as the girl fluffed her hair and then carefully reapplied her lipstick.

As she did, she briefly eyed Lynette standing behind her and raised her eyebrow before returning to her main focus.

Lynette looked on with her own raised brow and her mouth slightly parted.

Soon, she turned and walked in the direction she’d come from earlier.