Mothers who don’t think

Thu, 06 Apr 2000 16:00:00 +0000

Last weekend I went shopping with a friend. Let's call her Karen. I looked forward to our outing. We would take our time scouting bargains at Wal-Mart and then look at a few furniture consignment stores. (I have been seeking the perfect sofa table for a few months now.)

After shopping, we planned to have coffee or lunch and catch up on each other's lives.

I knew I was in trouble when "catching up on each other's lives" turned into a nonstop monologue about the lives of Karen's children. She has two, a son and a daughter, both in their late 20s.

I was treated to a running commentary throughout the entire morning:

"I need new kitchen utensils. Look at this great package of stuff. Good price. But Kathy needs it more; she just got a new apartment. Oh, did I tell you? Her father says if she keeps her job for another year, he is going to treat her to a trip to Greece. She has always wanted to go to Greece. I'll get a package of these for her."

"Look at this great set of dishes. Ron's wife -- you know, Debbie -- could use these. She loves this color. I wish she would stop worrying about her figure and get pregnant. I am dying to give a baby shower."

Salon.com > Leslie Lafayette

Mothers who don’t think