Witness to a Break-Up

I've been at work for a few hours now. Nothing special about that, but what's interesting is what happened on my brief chicken sandwich and soy milk break. That's what I'm here to briefly describe. (And briefly, cause I'm still at work)

I went to Outside In, the University Hospital's main cafeteria at about 10:55 today. I waited behind two girls in line until I could pick up a grilled chicken sandwich. (very basic, a gross old bun with a small chicken breast or part of a chicken breast on it, no frills.) I then picked out a small bottle of soy milk to drink and went to check out. Checking out, I ended up behind the two girls again, as they cut in front of me. I avoided sitting near them, as I figured they would talk about irritating things, and I'm a natural eavesdropper.

This natural eavesdropping is a result of two characteristics I have. One, is my above normal hearing, which allows me to pick up quiet sounds with clarity from a distance. This can't be turned off, as it's a part of my being. The second is my tendency for gawking, which is part of my too-curious about things package. I've learned to mostly avoid turning and looking at people even though it's all I want to do some of the time. I try not to stare or look too much at people because I know that for many, eye-contact is awkward and too personal. So, when I can't gawk with the eyes, I gawk with the ears.

I sat as far as possible from the girls, near a youngish (28 or so) couple. I think they were medical students due to their clothes and stance. They were sitting next to one-another on the same table, facing the cafeteria instead of each other. They talked in bursts, quiet, but as loud and forceful as they could at that decibel level. The man was breaking up with his girlfriend. He talked about how he couldn't be himself around her. She accused him of mocking her. He talked about eye contact, and they slowly fell apart.

Then I ran away.

song of the day: "Dead Finks Don't Talk" - Eno