I was careful today, more careful than I was yesterday. Yesterday a number of overweight adults chatted jovially as the bubbles swirled all around them. I took little notice. I carefully chose my space where I could see the huge clock on the wall 50 metres away. I am running to a timetable and nothing was going to make me late! Until everyone left the spa except Jack who started to chat!
Jack let it be known he is a senior and pays almost half of my monthly fee. I am only a couple of years short of a senior card. The thought of cutting my monthly payment in half cheers me slightly. I don't know if Jack is married or whether he has a family. He tells me he did a stint in Vietnam. I know he talking army not tourist. His age is right. I wonder how he felt when he returned from war without recognition or praise from the Australian government and it's people. I don't want to ask difficult questions so I turn the conversation in a different direction.
We discuss our travels, finding we have both visited Africa and Europe. We share colourful traveller's tales before I realise I have no more time left and I need to leave in a hurry.
I left thinking I knew nothing about Jack but in hindsight I knew a little. Jack is one of those people who begin a conversation and in five minutes or less knows your whole life story. It is easy to feel comfortable with him. I could have invited him to dinner and called him a long lost friend; he would have kept all the guests entertained!
The world could do with more Jacks, someone to leave you with a smile and a little encouragement to keep you going throughout the day.
