This man was really interesting. Judging by his general talkativeness and lack of the normally presented boundaries, she knew he wasn't from this country originally. She figured at the bare minimum he came from somewhere west of here. And it was only further confirmed by his questions regarding aging. Not only would that have been considered a rude type of thing to question, but in this place, it was obvious when one could fell short of the expectations of society and in general you'd be shunned for it. "Well, I will not fall into my grave in a year or anything. But I am old enough that I should be married by this point and I am not. It was a really public thing so everyone from around the town I live in knows and... I find myself coming to the city to gain some anonymity," she mused as she drank. "You definitely aren't from here though... no one here would ask those sorts of questions~" she teased but she truly had no problem answering his questions. Surely this was better than those who danced on eggshells around her, only to give her pitying looks and talk about her as soon as she was out of earshot.
Ah, the complexity of her situation wasn't completely lost upon this man, but its greater details were missing. Even so, he was apologetic, having some rather kind words to offer, even though she'd not revealed everything. "Ah, if it was simply his idea wouldn't be so bad. I did not expect to coddle him too much or anything like that," she stated. Independence was important in children, leaving them to their own devices as they got older showed them coping mechanisms and the ability to problem solve. "I should also say I have four children and two of them probably won't even be old enough to know I was their mother," she clarified the nature of her current level of discontent. She would have been satisfied just to say that, and drown the rest of her drink, but something interesting was being said.
He understood her situation a bit because he also couldn't be with his children at the moment. He wasn't being kept from them but his own situation was complicated. She could imagine. She supposed he did look more mature, she wondered if he had older children and they were simply content to live their lives without him. Late teenagers tended to get their own apartments and the like here. But what was the point of harping over her lost children. "I suppose there isn't much point in it. But I hardly know what to do with myself most of the time... I had a small child, two toddlers and an infant, it wasn't like I knew things that didn't involve them. Besides, the most likely scenario says they will be told I am dead and they'll never have the desire to look for me," she said giving it a bit of thought. "I'm not sure how to party or let it go if I am being honest. I always end up in one of these places on their birthday to avoid the emptiness of it," she finished. Truly her life had been all about her children and while that might not have been the healthiest option, most people didn't have to deal with an empty nest until their kids grew up. And they had their partners and hobbies to carry them through the emptiness, the hope of the future grandchildren and the like to fill their homes again. As it stood, she was a 30ish, divorcee with no husband to show for the eleven years she'd spent birthing children and being a homemaker. Of course, birthdays and holidays... the times she was previously busiest were the worst for her to experience now.
"So then, what does a fellow empty nester find himself doing for fun? Surely, coming to bars to chat up depressed ex-housewives is not the most interesting part of your day~" Ah, there it was again, like a shallow defense a mask which drew attention away from herself and back to casual conversation topics. Like she truly didn't intend to dwell or make anyone feel as bad as she did. Perhaps this was why none ever had a kind word to share, she always managed a light smile and cordial conversation, despite the fact that she felt quite broken and empty inside.