Small Town Life

[plural]

is something I do not think I will ever get used to

I went out this evening for a quick drink
am greeted at my usual watering hole
with knowing smiles and pleased grins
from all the young ladies working there

apparently they quite approved
which amused me

they prodded me for details but I demurred
saying only
that I greatly enjoyed her company and looked forward to seeing her again soon

they seemed let it go with a few smirks
but like typical woman merely switched tatics

as we chatted
my drinks came swiftly, often before I had completely finished the previous one
and unless I was imagining things a good bit stronger as well

an hour or so passed and I was feeling quite relaxed
having eased into the comfort of friendly banter

when one of them comments that she had a rough morning
terrible hangover from the night before and how tired she was

without thinking I reply

"Yeah, I am pretty beat too, I didnt manage to get to sleep until after two this afternoon"

which elicited a chorus of giggles
and a loud snap as my jaw clamped closed with the realization of my slip

they tried a few other times to discretely weasel information out of me
but I was wise enough to keep my guard up and so avoided any other indiscretions

but her boss made some comment,
which unless I was imagining things was rather indirectly pointed at me,
to the effect of

"So she had a good birthday then"

it is still something I cant get used to
having people know nearly everything you do
in an almost real time fashion

I have managed in the past to stay fairly anonymous here
by not really socializing in the places where I pick up my distractions

although, not to be crass
but I suppose some of it is my own fault
for getting my meat where I get my bourbon