Gertrude and Mable Watch the Snow

"Thanks to you we have two men chasing after us," Mabel told Gertrude. They sat in the parlor of their rest home gazing out the window at the steady accumulation of snowflakes.

"Nothing wrong with that," Gertrude giggled, "that kind of attention keeps us young."

"Personally I think they're a big bother. All Barney seems to want from me is a warm lunch."

"Maybe that's his way of showing affection."

"You’re the one who wanted this attention and now I'm the one who's on the receiving end."

"Funny how things turn out," Gertrude shook her head. "Barney's not my type."

"What's wrong with him?" Mabel inquired defensively.

"It's his attitude toward women. He sees them as cooks and maids," Gertrude complained. "That's just as chauvinistic as women seeing men as bread winners."

"Aren't they?" Mabel asked. "But what about Harry? Do you like him?"

"He reminds me of a cigar store Indian handing out smokes." Gertrude wrinkled her nose. "I've never been partial to cigars."

"But we're still going with them for New Years?" Mabel asked hopefully.

"I suppose, unless you've got something more exciting in mind?"

"I always used to get in bed and watch TV to see the ball drop in Times Square, assuming I didn't fall asleep." Mabel reminisced.

"So now we sit in a diner and drink soda and munch on hot pretzels." Gertrude sighed. "It's a beginning; but I'd rather they took us dancing."

"Not when they both have two left feet," Mabel laughed. "Besides Barney's idea of a good time is guided tours of fish hatcheries!"

"No one else answered my personal," Gertrude seemed perplexed. "I thought I'd be overrun with invitations for afternoon trysts."

"Not at our age," Mabel grimaced. "Most men our age spend their time collecting stamps or coins, but not women."

"Age is relative," Gertrude prompted. "We're as young as we feel. And I have this wild urge to go out and kick up my heels."

"Don't let me stop you," Mabel smiled wryly. "Perhaps you need to rewrite your classified. Instead of appearing so suggestive and maybe scaring them off, write something about being fascinated by old stamps and see where that might lead."

"The only thing I've ever done with stamps was to lick them and put them on envelopes when I was sending Christmas cards or paying my bills," Gertrude admitted.

"That's what most women do with them," Mabel agreed. "But according to what I've heard many older men find stamps fascinating."

"I suppose there are worse things then going to a diner for New Years Eve. As long as they keep the heat on and serve home made pie!"

" Harry can't smoke his cigars cause we'll be indoors. And they did say we'd all take a cab."

Gertrude stood up, shook her head and laughed. "Knowing those two it could turn out to be Dutch treat."

"Let's hope it won't be snowing," Mabel said. "I'd rather walk than pay for a taxi." (To be continued)