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strange strangers

If you're in front of your house some day minding your own business and raking leaves,
a stranger could walk up and initiate a friendly conversation.
They may stop if it is an unusually warm fall day.
If the season is much milder than years past, a passerby may be particularly inclined to pause and chat with a person who is halfheartedly gathering the leaves on their front walk.
They will realize that you live in the house where you are raking and may appreciate a captive audience.
You may be open to a conversation with a perfect stranger on a balmy autumn day, right there on the sidewalk as you stand in a pile of swirling leaves.
That person that stops to engage you may be a
taller woman
approximately  60-65
well dressed in head to toe off-tints of tan
a pair of quality shoes- not ostentatious
matching pocketbook
hair an unearthly shade of blond, swept up in a soft but unmoving affair of gold spun cotton
makeup subtle but strategically applied: plums, nudes
The plum washed lips will stretch into a thin smile.  Skin will be flawless and unlined.
"Hello"
Black and unfathomable eyes will hold contact with yours.
When you remember that "hello" in the future, it will sound like I've been watching you.
You will converse a while with the stranger because the sun will be shining and sometimes you let the wrong people in but hey that's life.
It may come up in conversation that the stranger is really much older than she looks and you may inquire about the "secret." 
You will not want to know the answer, it will not be something you believe in.
You will exchange names and the stranger will leave, a trail of lilac and taupe.
A silk scarf blown up by an unusually gentle fall breeze.
The meeting will mean more to the stranger than you and you will come to regret your openness.
Your doorbell will ring weeks later and you will not answer it because you're not expecting anybody.
You will crouch by the window and watch for the doorbell-ringer to leave and lo and behold, a golden tan specter will drift around the corner.
You will know that she knows you're there.
She will have left a pamphlet about things you don't believe in under your door and you will vow to avoid the stranger from there on in.
You may cross paths with the stranger a few more times before you learn the art of avoidance.
The stranger will always remember your name and somehow that will chill you to the core.
There will be times when you feel the hairs on the back of your neck rise and you will turn around to see the stranger.
You will be sure she doesn't see you.  You will take comfort in the fact that the stranger may have forgotten you and your name.
You will cross streets and miss streetcars on purpose to avoid the stranger.
You will realize how ridiculous it all is.
You will see her go in and out of mysterious doors.
You will watch her from a shop window as she walks slowly across the street.
She will suddenly stop and turn back to look in your direction and you will stand there paralyzed by the absurdity of your fear.


:)    :)                                 

:-)

<8-)