The Truth I Rarely Tell

The truth is that people think I am the best listener in the world. I have mastered the face and the expressions of the most interested. I can toss out the best impression of a person who cares. I am doing it correctly, for waitresses sit down and tell me their story. I scoot over for waiters, hairdressers and bartenders too. A few well placed “hms”, “wows” and “oh, mys" make me fast friends. Most are self-involved, care not if they learn anything about me. They want my deeply empathetic hazel eyes to pull out their truths. I am an actress, playing a role, giving them what they need. Wondering why they are too selfish to ask me anything about me. I am the world’s most notorious imposter of a listener. Many times I am on autopilot, not hearing a word they say. Sadly, they hug me goodbye and tell me how much it means to them.