‘You kids got it all wrong,’ she said
She was at least 65 maybe more
Hardened from years without a home
All her worldly goods in two or three old shopping bags
She was a regular sight on the boardwalk in Venice
We often bought her coffee or a pepsi
Just to keep her talking, her gravelly voice full of wisdom
‘No’ she said ‘ when someone screws you over
don’t run around quacking like a duck
letting everyone know you got used
putting the person on alert, so he’s watching for a comeback
when you get screwed ‘ she said ‘ get to be that person’s best friend
be there when he has a weak moment, have the knife at his back
be there all the time so you know when the time is right
and listen, if you really hate that person
really want to get even’ she stressed
marry him….then you can guarantee him a life of misery
she cackled as she got up and walked away
‘marry him’ she yelled back to us, laughing her shrill laugh
and we knew we had heard something worth remembering