Today I ran into an old friend? at the grocery store. I am not a touchy feely person (in other words - do not invade my personal space!) but this woman - who I haven't seen in two years - had to give me a hug. I was polite and didn't flinch but, the hug knocked me off balance. I explained "I had a stroke in August and I have some balance issues"

Well, this lunatic starts wailing "YOU'RE Too young to have a stroke - Oh God Why you!!" and a whole bunch of other such nonsense in a voice loud enough to be heard from the frozen section to the deli counter. I think she was looking for attention from everyone else in the entire store.

I am personally mortified and embarrassed beyond belief and the stupid witch (read that with a b) is not stopping her tirade. "Only old people have strokes, this can't have happened to you, oh why would God do such a thing" At this point I'm ready to haul off and flatten this woman just to shut her up.

And I can't think of any way to get away from her politely so, I lied.

I said "Sheila, I have emotional issues too so, will you please shut the duck (read that with an F) up." I left her standing in the bakery section with her mouth hanging open.

I never would have said anything like that before my stroke! Maybe I do have emotional issues but, honestly she shouldn't have invaded my personal space, and it was a fun way to stop her hysterics. Maybe I'm just getting nasty in my old age.