Occasionally I enjoy my "me" time, and will take an afternoon and see a movie by myself. I'm convinced I'm actually an 80 year old woman with my love of cardigans, boat shoes and an early afternoon matinée. I love it. I don't have to share my popcorn, I get the drink choice I want without compromising with Sprite instead of that Cherry Coke, and I get to enjoy a film without whispering back and fourth to someone about the movie as proceeds further into it's thickening plot.
Today, I purchased my ticked to see "Now You See Me". I was giddy purchasing my snacks, walking into the theater and seeing the theater completely empty. Then, as I took my seat, an elderly woman moseyed in. She stopped to look around the theater to chose what row and seat combination would offer her the best view. She paused and took a look at me then said with a big grin, "You're not alone," before slowly taking a seat of her own. I chuckled and told her I didn't mind one way or another but I was glad to have some company for the time being. After the movie was over, I left as quickly as possible, anxious to get to the car and back home to perform my random Saturday duties I had put off. As I walked into the hallway of the theater, I stopped and realized I hadn't seen the older woman leave. Without much explanation, I turned around out of curiosity and went back to find her still sitting in her seat.
I introduced myself and took a seat next to her as she spoke about her opinions of the movie. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that she knew every single actress and actors name in the film. She whizzed through all the new released movies, and movies of the past year or so that she enjoyed or truly hated. Soon, I learned her name was Esther. Esther hated The Great Gatsby because Leonardo DiCaprio is no Robert Redford. Ester really loved Silver-linings Playbook, and who can really blame her? Ester attends the movies every Saturday by herself because all of her friends have passed away. She's 90. She continued to tell me how her daughter lives out of state, but once a week they speak of the movie that they have both gone to see over the weekend "together" regardless of being 2,000 miles away!
Despite my urge to leave immediately after the movie ended, I'm thankful I turned around and took a few moments to speak to the slow, little woman who is sharp as a tack and is simply excited to have someone to share her thoughts and opinions with. After the movie, we walked out of the theater together, and dear ol' Esther gave me her phone number and insisted I call her to see a movie again sometime. Despite enjoying my quiet "me" time, I'm definitely going to call her. I'm positive I will learn so much from this woman based on what I gathered just from listening for a few moments today. My interaction with her was the highlight of my week. Who would have thought something like that could uplift someone so much?
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