Two or Three or Four Surprises

As usual I was at a convenience store scratching off a lottery ticket when you walked in the joint.

I recognized you immediatley and wondered if you would pass the "test."

Towards the end of my career, I knew that I wasn't going to remember the names of the students that were in my class when we met in the future. I remember all the kids from my first few years but after 1976, the names become blurry.

I told the kids that I had one more test for them and they would never know when I would spring it on them. 

" I'm losing my memory for names and so are my colleagues. Here's what you do if you run into me or any of your teachers as we all emerge from the classrom and head down the roads of life. If you recognize me say "Hey, it's me and give me your name and shake my hand. Bonus points if you remember my name. If you do this do this, I'll know that you were paying attention today plus we won't have to go through that awkward moment when you expect me to remember your name and I can't. It will always be a pop quiz because we will not be expecting to see one another. If you pass the test, I'll congratulate you by name and say 'Damn, you were paying attention that day'.

You won't be a kid anymore.

You bought a Diet Coke and a Slim Jim. You looked at me and I could see the bright lights of recognition in your eyes. You were wearing Geek Squad shirt. You were always a step ahead when it came to computers and apparently you were employed in that pursuit.

The surprise test started.

"Hey, How ya doing?" you began.

I gave a friendly nod of mutual recognition.

Then an awkward silence.

You hadn't been paying attention that day which was kinda disappointing because you were a very attentive student and I remember you nodding when I asked your class if they understood my message.

So I picked up the ball.

"Great to see you. What have you been up to?"

You told me that you had gone to college, got married, had a couple of kids and pointed to the Geek Squad insignia on your work shirt. You told me how much you enjoyed my class and how helpful it had been not only in college but right up until today.

I thanked you again. 

Our time was running out, we were awkwardly searching for a way to end it without either of us mentioning a name.

"Well, you're lookin good buddy." I observed. "It sure was a nice surprise seeing you. How'm I looking."

I figured you would say "great" and we'd go our separate ways.

Instead you took a long look at my face and said "weathered". Then you caught yourself being too honest and too accurate. You smiled and covered up "in a good way".

You had taken me by surprise. 

I thought you had failed the test.

You might have failed one but you aced the other. You were succinct, accurate yet ultimately sensitive.

"Well we've certainly seen a lot of weather in the last ten years."

You replied "wurd".

We shook hands again and you got into the Best Buy truck that you had driven to the store.

The weather outside was kinda cloudy but with no rain on the horizon, the sun was ready to shine again.

I bought another scratch off and headed home.

I still remember that moment whatever your name is.