Judgement Call

Off-putting, aloof we found her, with an
irritating supercilious smile always hovering
on her lips, anxious to get on, and away
conveying to her sister, our neighbour her
irritation unwilling to linger. Other things on
her mind, more pressing concerns than to
waste time in idle talk. So much for initial
impressions, so much for interpreting signals.
Have we changed, or is it she who has
warmed so fundamentally to our presence
that we can scarce recognize the person we
once knew however slightly. Retired now
her practice and eponymous building sold 
to another dentist, she now is happily
devoted to walking her dog, her time her
own, that smile now genuine, her anxiety
relieved. Now it is we who cannot break
away as she unleashes a flood of impressions
experiences, likes, dislikes, revelations of
an intimate nature in a casual manner 
unburdening herself, casting caution to the 
winds. We listen, exchange, while the 
pleasantries evolve and revolve. So was her 
attitude one of aloofness -- or reserve? And 
was that smile one of shyness, the woman 
who now proudly gardens and taught herself 
to raise bees in her very own apiaries so 
she can fussily produce her own honey...