Three and a Half Years Ago.
Uncannily Similar colleague and I find ourselves walking down the same corridor in the building we work in. We’ve never spoken before.
Uncannily Similar: So. How are you finding it then?
I’ve only been with the company a few days, the work we do is stressful and hugely competitive. He’s fucking ‘sizing me up’ isn’t he?
Me: Fine. Done it before so no problem really.
I’ve seen him in action ands he’s fucking good at what he does. But I’m not going to let him know it.
U.S: So. [Clocking I’m the same age as him] Married then?
Me: No. Just separated actually.
U.S: Shit. Sorry. No kids though?
Me: A son and a daughter as it happens.
U.S: Fuck. Really. Sorry. Still see them loads though?
Me: Bit up in the air at the minute to be honest.
U.S: Shit. Bollocks. Fuck.
He stops walking, as do I. His shoulders relax and he drops the ‘pissing contest’ thing.
U.S: How am I doing?
Me: Three out of three so far.
We grin at each other.
U.S: Few of us going for a drink tonight if you’re interested.
Me: Why not.
The next week our boss makes us work together.
Two and a half years later I cry at his wedding.
I pretend I have something in my eye.
Uncannily Similar: So. How are you finding it then?
I’ve only been with the company a few days, the work we do is stressful and hugely competitive. He’s fucking ‘sizing me up’ isn’t he?
Me: Fine. Done it before so no problem really.
I’ve seen him in action ands he’s fucking good at what he does. But I’m not going to let him know it.
U.S: So. [Clocking I’m the same age as him] Married then?
Me: No. Just separated actually.
U.S: Shit. Sorry. No kids though?
Me: A son and a daughter as it happens.
U.S: Fuck. Really. Sorry. Still see them loads though?
Me: Bit up in the air at the minute to be honest.
U.S: Shit. Bollocks. Fuck.
He stops walking, as do I. His shoulders relax and he drops the ‘pissing contest’ thing.
U.S: How am I doing?
Me: Three out of three so far.
We grin at each other.
U.S: Few of us going for a drink tonight if you’re interested.
Me: Why not.
The next week our boss makes us work together.
Two and a half years later I cry at his wedding.
I pretend I have something in my eye.
posted by Tired Dad at
8:20 pm
19 Comments:
At first I was surprised to learn that you have a colleague you like, and then I thought about the name you've given him :).
Nice post though, snarkiness aside. Blunders as the basis for a friendship.
Is he imaginary?
you soppy thing!...;-)
I swear that someone is speeding up the clock. Where does time go?
I haven't been to a wedding since .. then. I imagine i would need a sponge, or a towel.
I have given up on the whole weddings thing. I've been to all my cousins', and my niece and daughter are all nicely married off, so all there is left is cousins' kids, and I don't even KNOW them, so I can just send a nice card. Weddings depress me.
PB: It probably wouldn't have happened otherwise. And are you suggesting I'm even slightly narcissistic? Trust me, I don't even like myself.
Ellie: Amazingly, no.
FD: He was standing all over his new wife's feet on their first dance - I really felt for her.
C: Yeah. Well. The truly dreadful thing was I quite like both bride and groom and they seem to be making it. Grrr.
Sew: Having attended at least two of my own Mother's I sympathise.
Work, marital status, children and life/suck levels covered in a 2 minute conversation, then off for a drink. Sometimes I wish I was a man.
Not very often though.
John: Thought you WERE. Errm. But yes. We are very simple creatures - something I am very pleased by - although not very often.
You.Big.Softie.
I hope that his similiarity with you ends in that he has a happy ever after.
Sorry.
xx
Plum: Rest assured. They're buying their first house together and are disgustingly happy whilst I WALLOW in despair.
Thing is. They are both ex-bad people who got good. Before they met each other. Which is important. And then fell for each other.
And I'm a sucker for happy-ever-after stories.
And - Hang ON.
Explain yourself.
Book/cover...?
I do wish you your own happy ending, but not, of course, if it means that you stop the lovely writing - sorry.
Misery loves company, n'all that.
its never too late to have a happily ever after :)
J: Thanks. I think.
C: Ok then.
Men are simple? Purleeeeze. Nowt simple about sex, power, money or the other stuff that drives them..
Knowha' I mean?
That's really lovely.
Anon Whoever You Are: I don't know what you mean. Speaking as a man I'm driven by the need to keep imbeciles out of my face, a steady supply of cigarettes and something decent to read at the end of the evening.
Either you're hanging out with the wrong blokes or there's something wrong with me.
Loob: I think it's really tragic but whatever.
Lovely story. You had a North of England, Charles Bukowski moment there. Always a pleasure to read your blog - one of the few it must be said. Keep up the good work and remember that the first hundred years are the hardest! ;-)
Thanks for that.
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