Two Old Men Over Coffee

When a friend is grieving

BEAR: Did you hear? Charlie lost his wife. HOOKER: That's a damn shame. How's he doing? BEAR: About how you'd expect. HOOKER: I expect he's already forgotten about her and is thinking about writing a novel about it. BEAR::That's a hell of a thing to say. He must be grieving fierce. HOOKER: He's still a writer. Don't you remember what he said when Mary 's daughter commited suicide? "It's all material." BEAR: How do you mean? HOOKER: He told her to stop crying and write a poem about it. BEAR: Well, she's a poet. She probably will! HOOKER: But in her own sweet time. (A pause.) BEAR: I can't decide whether or not to send him a card. HOOKER: Waste of money. BEAR: Listen to Mr. Empathy. What put you in such a foul mood? HOOKER: I made the mistake of watching the news this morning. What's happening to this country is appalling. BEAR: Tell me about it. HOOKER: Anyway, I am sorry for his loss. Tell him when you see him. BEAR: Tell...

Boredom in old age

BEAR: I visited my brother yesterday. HOOKER: He any better? BEAR: About the same. I always feel so guilty after seeing him. HOOKER: Why's that? BEAR: All he talks about is how boring it is there and what a relief from boredom it is to have me visit. He makes me feel like I should be visiting every day. The thing is, I can understand why he's bored. Activities amount to exercising, bingo, cards, and Bible study. He sometimes plays pinochle once a week. That's about it. HOOKER: Sounds boring to me, too. BEAR: Do you ever get bored? HOOKER: Rarely. You? BEAR: Sorry to say I do. Our Tuesday coffees often are the highlight of the week. The rest of the time, I'm climbing the walls. HOOKER: Now that surprises me. Doesn't your son live in Portland? BEAR: He does. But I'm lucky if I hear from him once a month. HOOKER: Man, that's too bad. BEAR: I hear from my granddaughter more often, even when she's back east. HOOKER: I hear something like this and I don'...

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