Some people

After six and a half months of deployment, there are still people at the gym that ask about Hubby. It always surprises me that most know when he's coming home for R and R and some come up to me with the approximate countdown. "Getting close," they'll say. "Just under three months before you get to see your sweetie." It's nice to know that some people, even though they only know the gym side of me, care enough to acknowledge the issue at hand. 

However, there is one man who introduced himself to me back in December. For the life of me, I cannot remember his name, but for convenience sake we'll call him Bob. He's probably in his mid-60s, not a gym regular, but regular enough. Whenever he comes in, he asks how Hubby is and how much longer until I see him. He usually adds in his political outlook on the war, the president and snide comments on my marriage. He does not fall into the category of people I described in an earlier post. Those are the people who don't know they upset me, I am pretty sure Bob would have to be a complete idiot not to realize what he says is hurtful and disrespectful. 

Today. I got to the gym a little earlier than normal, 8:45am. I head to the treadmills and start stretching. I notice Bob stroll in and make his way over to me on the treadmills, "great," I think to myself. Of course even with 5 others available, he takes the one right next to me. I can't stand it when people try to have a conversation with me while I'm running, especially when they're walking or not doing anything at all. They just want a quick convo before they leave or before they start working out or in between their sets. What annoys me even more is that 99% of the time I am listening to my iPod. I usually try to brush them off with a one word response or a quick smile, but it usually doesn't work. I take out my headphones, and usually try to keep running, if they don't accept my one word answers, I reluctantly slow the treadmill to a walk and listen to what they have to say, again reluctantly. 

Back to Bob. He starts the treadmill at a comfortable 3.0, an easy walk.

 "So, when does your husband come home?" 

"Mid-September," I reply, thinking, 'don't we have this same conversation every time I see you?' 

"Gee, that's still so far away."

"Not really."

"So what does he say about the war?"

"Um, not too much. They're helping the people," I say, trying not to roll my eyes or be too rude. 

"Well, you know I think it's a good thing we're over there. I could never vote for no Obama. If I had a son that was killed over there and Obama took everyone out, I'd feel that my son's death would be for no good reason."

Head nod, fake smile.

"It's a good thing we hanged than damn Heussein. He was the modern day Hitler. And if you saw the look on his face before they put the noose around his neck... he knew he was wrong. He knew he was going to hell."

No response, but thinking 'Do Muslims believe in Heaven and Hell?'

"So how long have you been married?"

"A year" I sigh. 'Great this again,' I think to myself.

"And he's been gone since December? Gee not much of a first year of marriage huh?"

No response, blank stare.

"How long were you together before you got married?"

"About a year," I lie. 

"Hahahaha,"

'Are you serious,' I think to myself, 'is this man really LAUGHING at me?!'

"What are you 21?"

"No, 23."

"Wow, you're really getting up there. Hahaha."

I fight back to urge to kick his foot so he falls off the treadmill.

"Do you regret marrying him before he left for Iraq? Or are you glad you did?"

I try to peel my jaw off the treadmill belt. "I'm glad I did," I said, horrified. 'Who is this man, and who the hell does he think he is asking me these questions and then asking me these questions while I am working out?!!!'

"Really, why?"

I ignore him, put my headphones back on, crank up the music and start a sprint, hoping he would take the hint and leave me alone forever. 

He did take the hint and didn't say anything to me after that. Who says stuff like that anyway? Why would someone I barely know, ask me such personal questions. Is it ignorance? Is it curiosity? Either way it's offensive. Geez, some people.