I Am Older Than You

I am older than you, my teacher friend said. I am POSITIVE that you are not, I replied. I am sure I am, she said, motioning for me to come closer. I leaned down and she whispered “I’m 62.” This was a surprise. I had pegged her at early fifties. I only guessed this because her son is a doctor. I’m not terrific at math, I said, “But isn’t 69 older than 62?” She looked surprised now. “You are sixty-nine!” I nodded. “And you’re still working?” “If you can call it that.” She kept yelling “You are amazing!” She probably yelled it three times. Delighting me.