Old Men

Today, I took the two youngest to Costco to do a bit of shopping and pick up a prescription. While waiting for them to fill it, I sat down in the chairs they offer. Maren was wandering around and touching everything like usual until an older gentleman sat down next to us. She immediately came over and started chatting with the guy. He asked what her age was and she said three. He then proceeded to tell her that was the same age as the little girl who was killed by her mom over on the East Coast! I'm thinking, "why are you telling her this?" That was it, all he said but I could tell it bothered Maren. He was the type of guy who couldn't hear very well and also didn't make much sense to a three year old. She kept asking him why her mom would do that, and I'm sure he'd already forgotten he even said it because he'd answer her in totally random ways. I had to explain that the mom must have had mental problems. I didn't want to say she was sick because heaven forbid I ever get sick, then she'd think I was going to do her in. She also asked again how old the little girl was and he then let us know how old his "little" 50 year old girl was. I just thought it was funny that he would bring that up, not thinking that here was a child who would hear about her mommy killing her and he'd think nothing of it. That is the sort of story that brings nightmares to kids. I just hope she's forgotten all about it. Some old men should not be allowed out without parental supervision.