It’s a beautiful day, and I’m parked at the Torrens Parade Ground waiting to pick up my Japanese student and her friends to take them to a party. I’m early and I’ve opened my windows to enjoy the warm breeze. Spring has sprung, the lawn is green, the trees are flush with new growth, and I’m enjoying the last warmth of the day while sitting listening to someone on ABC Radio National talking about the body.
The car parking spaces are half empty and alongside a car pulls up with a woman, 40ish, driving. I turn and look; she’s on her phone. I think she’s looking for directions. Because I’m picking up my student, I glance at the time. I’m concerned whether she followed directions and knows where we’re meeting.
The woman next to me is absorbed in her phone, Three minutes pass and I’m now engulfed by the toxic fumes of her diesel car.
I get out, tap on her window and ask nicely, ‘Excuse me. Would you mind turning off your car while you’re on your phone?’
Lovely looking, stylish in her upmarket expensive BMW, yells at me, ‘Fuck off you old cow, I’ll do what I want.’
Oh dear, that was a surprise. An entitled “Karen”! Now we have war. But true to form I respond, ‘You’re uneducated and stupid, and polluting the air with your pathetic car.’
Putting the car in gear, she backs out but then changes her mind, screaming at me, ‘In fact, I’m going to stay here just to piss you off.’
Interesting response. Don’t underestimate an older woman.
Taking my phone from my bag, I walk to the front of her car and in a panic, she reverses and speeds from the scene.
What did she think I was going to do?
Burnside Writers Group 