After the party

We went to a birthday party today for two kids from school. The party was in a more urban part of town that's not so great. Because it's a denser area, there was no parking anywhere, so I dropped Ellie off at the party and parked 5 or 6 blocks away. Then I walked back in the 100 degree heat. Ugh.

The party was fun, and when we left, I decided to drag Ellie back with me to the car instead of going to pick it up. As we walked back, we passed by a parking lot where a homeless looking guy was riding his bike aimlessly around. The guy coasted his bike up to us and I grabbed Ellie's hand and stiffened up a little. He said, "Hello," in a sort of dull voice, and I walked a little faster.

We had to turn the corner and pass by the second entrance to the same parking lot, and of course the same guy on his bike rode through the lot and up to us. He looked right at me, leering a little bit, but he only muttered, "Goodbye, gorgeous," and rode past us. I breathed a small sigh of relief.

"What did he say to you?" Ellie asked me.
"He said 'Goodbye, gorgeous,'" I answered.
"Why did he say 'Goodbye, gorgeous'?" she asked.
"I guess he thinks I'm pretty," I answered. She thought for a minute.
"I think he was talking about me," she said. I was indignant. He was clearly looking at me when he said it.
"No, I'm pretty sure he was talking about me," I said.
"No," Ellie stated. "He was talking about me."

I let it drop. I don't have to argue. If she wants to claim this guy, that's fine. There are plenty of filthy, leering men on bicycles out there for both of us.