Two Old Ladies

In my first year here, I took a certain route to school. This route was favored by students, so I'd be biking alongside many walking SHS and Elem students. There's an old lady whose house in on this route. She likes to stand outside when the students are walking by. When she first saw me, she was very excited and waved me over. She chattered very quickly, about coming to visit her house which she indistinctly motioned at. Other times she'd berate me for biking amongst walking students, and made me get off to push the bike. As I was never sure which house was hers, and her attention was a bit stifling, I never went to her house. I've always felt a bit guilty about this, but when she cornered and chastised me at a community concert, her husband had to gently pull her away and apologized for her exciteable ways; apparently she does this sorta thing often.

Then I discovered another route. It's much more direct, follows along the river, making it more scenic. And there are fewer students to dodge. After a few months of using this route, I noticed another old lady. She likes to greet me on my way home from school. She stands by the cherry trees, bows, and says a cheerful hello. At first I was sure it was merely a coincidence, but now I can see her waiting when I leave school. She's facing the school and the river, but when I pass her, she's turned around so she can greet me. Also, if I chance upon her at the vendy in the morning, she won't be out that afternoon.

Just an interesting slice of small town life-- old ladies on the road.