he hummedhe rarely ever hummed

                                      as a matter of fact in a grocery aisle a woman stopped him and said I can’t place it, it’s so familiar, I should know it . . I should . . I can’t think . what is it your humming?

he stopped in his tracks

                          I was humming

Why yes, yes you were. he couldnt tell what shade of perplexed tinged her faceheightening her jowls You did not know you were humming?

that would be quite an admission I was humming

her expression changed bemused bemused looked better on her You’re teasing? It’s an old show tune, Rodgers and Hammerstein, I’m sure.

Ohbrother take a pickhuh Lotsa shows lotsa sa . .

. . But you were humming it.

Yes youve said but frankly I cant say

Really?

Yes  Really

Well, then that’s coming from a very, deep place. she nodded nodded repeatedly 

Whys she nodding Was she trying to lure him to nod agree too I dont know 

she stopped nodding

                       Well, you might want to figure that out.

I might No idea

As I said, a show tune, Rodgers and Hammerstein, I’ve no doubt. Do you remember what you were thinking?

No  I dont

I interrupted you?

Yes you did

Maybe if you re . . 

. . Ill try

Then, there, you have it.

                          You were humming it quite nicely. I wasn’t disturbed, except, I couldn’t place it, and obviously I thought you could say.

Sorry I let you down I dont hum often

Well, honey, not that I was following you, but you’ve hummed the length of the last two aisles. I wish I remembered it, I’d tell you.

Thank you

You’re welcome. Have a fine day. I hope you find what it is you’re looking for.

Thank you

she pushed her cart up the last of the aisle and went left around the corner

he stood quietly with a basket in his hand

                                             he had to look in it to see what he had to remind him what he was shopping for if there was a theme a particular dinner he was buying to make

his family picked on him that he didnt have a microwave he was feeding only himself a microwave would save him time eliminate a lot of preparation

he liked the preparation if he wanted to be an astronaut eat like one hed have a fucking microwave Excuse me did I say fucking they flinched I did say fucking Im not apologising You knowhave known forever that I dont have a fucking microwave nor am I getting a fucking microwave

                                                    fucking usually put the kibosh on that line of discourse

he was picking up odds and ends wasnt preparing for a meal had a pot of homemade chicken soup in the fridge

he was working his way to the vegetables he remembered he wanted to try a portion of the soup with fresh spinach and Hatch peppers

                 also wanted to stop for some Crown Prince smoked oysters he rarely had craving as rare as he hummed thought hed have it with his beer to make up an individual happy hour

among the vegetable bins selecting the Hatcheshe picked up the other items another woman approached him                                                                                                                             Excuse me.

Yes

People will say we’re in love.

he was perplexed

                    Excuse me

Youre humming People will say we’re in love from Oklahoma, correct?

I was humming  again

she looked perplexed 

                       Again?

Sorry a gal stopped me earlier I was hummingapparently a show tune she thought

You were humming. You were humming People will say we’re in love. You were humming it nicely.

At least theres that Sorry if I disturbed you

No. More likely you planted seed. I’ll find myself humming too; humming is like yawning for me, someone yawns, you know, then you yawn if you’re compassionate. I suspect I’ll be humming it before I leave the veggies.

                                                                                                          Have a good day.

Thank you You as well

People will say were in love Hmm she hadnt walked fifteen feet from him and he heard her humming it  ahyes  he knew the tune 

          and he knew now why he was humming it he was thinking of a girlfriend things were petering outgrowing cold he liked to humour himself if he felt distress  it wasnt the first relationship that didnt pan out as he hoped or they hoped as his mother said That’s why they call it dating.  Maw had her moments

                                                                                      he was humouring himself he wasnt humming People will say were in love he was humming People will say were indifferent 

                                                                                             and maybe it did come from a very deep place  he was calling it quits tonight

“Some people claim that youre to blame as much as I Why do you take the trouble to bake my favorite pie Granting your wish I carved our initials on that tree Just keep a slice of all the advice you give so free . . ”

 

0747,  Saturday,  12  9. 20 

Oklahoma  People Will Say Were in Love  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnwmO3Ik24M