“… feeling like this spiritual awakening, you know? Now that I’m not eating any of that processed crap, I really feel like it’s opened up my receptiveness to energy. Like, I’m more in-tune with the universe, right. And that’s what they don’t want, you know. The government. They don’t want us actualizing to our true energetic selves because then we’ll realize that we don’t need them and their bullshit because we don’t actually need anything to survive except the energy of the universe…”

It’s a typical Tuesday morning conversation. We’ve just dropped the kids off at school, and now we’re walking back to our street two blocks away. She’ll do most of the talking. I’ll nod or shrug. Maybe throw in a ‘that’s interesting’ every once in a while. Then we’ll say goodbye, have a good day, and go into our respective houses. We’re neighbours. Our kids are friends. It’s only a five minute walk. It’s a small inconvenience to keep peace in the neighbourhood.

“Are you listening to me?” she suddenly asks.

I look over at her.

“I said are you listening me? God, I feel like I’m talking to myself sometimes with you. You barely say anything and I don’t feel like you hear a word I say. Actual conversations require two people, you know.” She stands there with her arms crossed, waiting for me to answer.

I take a moment and consider what to say.

“Oh, I hear what you have to say. I hear every word and I don’t agree with any of it. But you wouldn’t know that because it’s impossible to get two words in with you. And when I do try to say something, share my opinion, you talk even louder. So loud it drowns out anything I have to say. I’ve never met anyone I so fundamentally disagree with on every level. The government sucks but I don’t believe there’s some vast conspiracy where it’s run by a shadow council of billionaires. Hollywood is not secretly using the blood of innocents to stay young. COVID vaccinations are not secretly sterilizing the population and ivermectin is a horse dewormer NOT a cure. People do not become trans because of the hormones in milk and those spiritual-pseudo-science books you read are written by people who got their “doctorates” by clicking an online ad. You’re entitled to your own opinions but you can’t shove them down other people’s throats. Just because you’re loud, doesn’t mean you’re right.”

I consider it, but I don’t say it. It won’t matter how perfect and logical my argument. I know from the years we’ve lived on the same street, she wears her beliefs like an armour-plated cocoon. Nothing’s getting through.

So, I sigh and shrug. “Haven’t had my coffee yet. Sorry.”

She grunts, but relaxes her arms. “Well, go get caffeinated then. Bye. Have a good day.”

“You too,” I say, and watch as she walks up her front steps and disappears into her house.

I let out a big exhale and walk to my own house, very much looking forward to a big cup of coffee.