Don't Mind Me

Is there a new bit of technology out there that I'm not aware of? The invisible bluetooth? Because I can't explain yesterday's encounter any other way.

The polite little ping of my gas light blinking to life did not come as a surprise. I'd been waiting for the sound for the last couple minutes. With a reluctant sigh I turned into the nearest gas station. It's one I've been to several times. Small, two double-sided pumps, little convenience store inside. I parked and began the whole process, aware as another car joined me at the other pump on the opposite side. Being a naturally cautious person, I continued with my fill, but stayed quite alert. I didn't look at the person who got out and swiped their own card, I was only aware in my peripheral that it was a woman.

It was quiet, I stood beside my car watching the numbers tick higher and higher, secretly resenting the numbers beside the dollar symbol. Suddenly the woman, loudly and quite conspicuously says, "Don't mind me! I'm just pumpin' my gas!"

Surprised, I glanced over at here. She's glaring at the nozzle she's feeding into her tank. I didn't see an earpiece on the ear facing me, nor when she turned did I see one on the other. "That's right!" she continued loudly. "Nothing but pumpin'!"

Bewildered, I searched around the lot to see if there was anyone else out there. Nope. I glanced into her car. Empty too. Again, I checked for an earpiece or any kind of cellphone. Nothing! "Hate these freaking prices," she complained.

My handle clicked, indicating my car was full, and I hastened to put it away. As I was snatching my receipt, she yelled something else. I don't remember what. I looked over again and this time saw that she was looking at me. I gave her a smile, which she met with a scowl. "Hurry up," she demanded of the pump, giving it a kick.

I chuckled and got in my car, giving her a friendly wave as I drove away.

Gas stations are rarely places of good conversation. Most of us fill up and leave, never paying any mind to the people around us. That woman disregarded social protocol, whether directly to me or her invisible companion, I do not know. She abandoned the unspoken rule of silence and invited me, if briefly, into her unusual world. Maybe I should have responded. I was so surprised by the ferociousness of her social defiance that I never thought to speak. What if I had?