Youth is wasted on the middle-aged

Ten o'clock and the gang all tucked in for the night, zipped out alone to Barnes and Noble for coffee and inspiration.  Abba playing on the store stereo system when I walk in.  Dancing Queen.

Head straight for the magazines, looking for something to read in the cafe.  The magazine section is up front by the windows.  Also up front by the windows are some armchairs.  In one of the armchairs is a couple, she in his lap, her legs over the armrests, her hands in his hair.  Liplocked.  He's curly-haired and square-jawed and handsome.  She's a tousle-haired bottle blonde in a halter top and very tight jeans and high-heels.

They are in their 40s.

He's well in.  Hard to say about her because much of her face is hidden by all that hair.  But she was in junior high at least when Dancing Queen first made the charts.

I tried to be quick picking out a magazine but it couldn't have taken me less than half a minute and they didn't come up for air the whole time I was there.

When I was in junior high, if I saw a couple like them, I'd have thought, Ewww.

When I was in college and in my twenties, I'd have thought, Good for them.

In my thirties, I'd have thought, Get a room.

Tonight I thought...I think I'll find a book to read instead.

And I zipped off to the essay section.

Ok, maybe I also thought how nice it must be, to be out on a date on a warm summer night, making out with your sweetheart while listening to Abba and that I was a little jealous too.

They still need to find a room.

Comments

[Dan Leo]

No, Lance, it's still gross.

There's a reason why the word "eww" is in the language.

[Uncle Merlin]

Now that was music!

[apostate]

Love ABBA.

In my teens, I was judgmental about the only couple I ever saw making out in public (in Turkey; since I grew up in Saudi Arabia, there weren't any others). That was probably resentment because I wanted to and couldn't.

Now, in my 20s, like you in your 20s, I think, "Good for them" and avert my eyes. I rarely see anyone over 18 doing it though, but I'm all the gladder if it's older people.

[Chris The Cop]

I'm sorry, I don't care how many Broadway plays are produced based on their songs, the thought (not to mention the sound) of Abba's music makes me want to attach live weasels to my ears.

(and I say this as someone who couldn't get enough of the Monkees.)

[actor212]

There's a reason why the word "eww" is in the language.

"J--" just wouldn't sound the same...