My Inner Witch

 

What perfect timing, as we spiral into the witching season. Today I may have experienced what those women long ago felt when they were just tired of unsolicited guidance or being told what to do. At this late point in life, I mostly do what I damn well want to do, and the way I want to do it. 

          This morning, in spite of it being 48 degrees out, a friend and I went to the new pickleball courts in town. Amazingly, we were the only ones there, but that was okay; we had fun just batting the ball back and forth. Then a guy by himself showed up, and he was pleasant and the three of us continued.

          A fourth man arrived and joined us, so we began playing for real. He called out to my friend Linda, reminding her where to stand during the serve, a fact she knows perfectly well, which I told him.

Next, partway into the game when I was his partner, he said, “Can I show you something?” Without waiting for a reply, he pointed out what he felt was better positioning for me. I said ‘okay’ and continued. After our opponents hit the ball out of bounds, he again pointed out where I should have been standing and I replied that I could see the ball was going to be out, so I didn’t bother to shift where I was.

After the game, which we won while I was serving, we gathered up our rackets.

I turned to him and said, “You know what? Next time you decide to give instruction, do it after the game.” And left.

1.    Was this about his need to show his superior skill at the game? (he was good, but not that good)

2.    Would he have said anything if I’d been a man?

3.    Doesn’t he realize that insulting your partner with unwanted lessons will really only sabotage your own team’s chances?