Chastised for being a pessimist.

The lady in the checkout line at the supermarket started talking to my Italian true love. In English. With a distinct English accent. And it sounded good. After listening to, and struggling with Italian, for nearly a month in Sardinia. Turns out she's an acquaintance of my true love. So I let out with a barrage of English. For old times sake. Turns out she's from Plymouth. In England. We chatted away. In English. For a few minutes. I told her I'm trying valiantly to learn Italian. And I asked, how long does she think it'll take? 'Ten years,' she replied. And I muttered, 'My gawd, I probably won't live that long.' She chastised me. For being a pessimist. But really, I'm not. I'm an optimist. If truth be told, I really dream of living forever. Why not? --Jim Broede