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Krrobi

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Conversation Heard At the Soccer Game

Kim Sisto Robinson

At one of my son’s soccer games I overheard a conversation, which should have been private;  it sort of felt like watching one undress, like going through somebody else’s dresser digging through undergarments.  But there I was on the bleachers sitting behind a two people who should have been home having this conversation, should have been in a counseling office, someplace else.  It didn’t matter.  Apparently, they were in the moment and didn’t’ give a damn who overheard.  Here is the conversation as I heard it:

Woman:   So, why didn’t you come home last night?

Man:        I don’t want to talk here.

Woman:  Well, I can’t seem to catch you any other time.  I will talk here. Now.

Man:        I stayed at……

Woman:  Oh, I know where you stayed, you son-of-a-bitch.

Man:       Why are you asking then?  Why bother?

Women:  What do you want?

Man:        I don’t know anything. I don’t know what the hell I want or    what I want to do.

Woman:  Your kids, do you give a damn about them?

Man:       This is about us.  Lower your voice, please. 

Woman:  What do you want?

Man:       I told you. I don’t know anything right now. I don’t know what  I want.  My mind is spinning.  There is only one thing I am sure of...

Woman:  And what may I ask is that?

Man:      I don’t want you.

That was the end of the conversation.  I heard no more.  I’m not certain how the woman felt at that moment, but I am quite convinced she wanted to die, or at least, curl up into a little ball someplace, but she watched the rest of the soccer game. As for me, I felt as if somebody punched me in the stomach, too. Somehow, I suddenly became part of the woman’s well being, her instant girlfriend.  I wanted to go and hug her, tell her I understood, say her husband was a cold hearted snake, ask her if she needed a cooked meal, a glass of wine, something...anything. I knew she’d never be the same, and I wanted to comfort her.  I couldn’t.

After the game, I watched the woman and man walk to separate vehicles without talking.  It seemed symbolic, the man walking one path, the woman walking another. It broke my heart.

~ Has your heart ever told you to say something, but your brain told you to mind your own business?