I wish I had an answer for you on that.

Thursday afternoon.

Returning from a quick bite to eat, I see a person approaching who I have had chance to converse with from time to time downtown for the past 10 years.
Pleasant exchanges.

"Hi, How's it going?" , Good, and you?"

Today he speaks first.

" Hey there! Well, I had a little joy today and a little dissapointment."

I respond.

"Oh, really. What was the joy? What was the dissapointment.?"

Today an expanded explanation to distinguish one from the other.
Patient. Listening.
Question.
Thought. Suggestion.
Reply.
Additional Idea offered.
Phone Call. Resolve.
Interjection of personal dilemma.
Silence.
Attempted development of thought.
Interrupted commentary. Attempt to empathize .

"I wish I had an answer for you on that. Glad my kids are grown. But believe me may be the best thing for them. They will calm down eventually. Got to run. Good seeing you."

Abrupt exit from personal space.
Halted conversation. Fixed gaze on the departure.
Deep breath and quizical smile with a slight twitch of the head.
Descriptive sentence which defines the exchange finds footing in thoughts.

"Everybody has a story that nobody wants to hear."