I could tell he had to swallow down what he really wanted to say. “I can’t complain. How was your day?” I asked.
“Long.”
“That was insightful.”
He chuckled on his end. “Seen any good movies lately?”
“That was an abrupt and odd change of subject.”
“So, no?”
I couldn’t believe the change in direction, or why he even cared. “Not really. I have this new demanding boss, so I haven’t had a lot of free time.” I laughed at my own wit.
“I don’t remember asking you to work any weekends.”
“I’m sure it’s coming.”
“I’m not a big fan of working on the weekends.”
“Really?”
“I’m sure that surprises you.”
“You could say that.”
“All right, so no new movies. Favorite movie in the last ten years?”
This conversation was getting more and more odd. “Uh . . . I don’t know. I guess anything with Sandra Bullock in it. MaybeThe Blind Side.”
“Is that because it was made in Tennessee?”
“Maybe. How about you?”
“I really liked the new Star Trek remakes.”
“I actually liked those too, or maybe it was Chris Pine. I was happy to see that they picked a handsome Captain Kirk this go around.”
“I think William Shatner would be offended.”
“He’s like eighty years old now.”
“Someday Chris Pine will be eighty, too.”
“Yes, but he’ll still have startling blue eyes.”
“You want a man with blue eyes?”
That did not go where I wanted it to, and the answer was no. I was somewhat partial to the Hershey chocolate ones. “Um, I’m an equal opportunity eye color enthusiast.”
“I like bluish eyes,” he replied.
That’s what he used to call mine. “Oh, that’s nice,” I said like I had never heard the term before. It was a totally lame response, but I wasn’t sure how to respond. His “personal matters” probably had bluish eyes.
“How is your family?” he asked at the lull in conversation.
“They’re doing well. Well, except my niece, Sam, is sick.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
