Usually people said such things as a passing phrase. They didn't mean to start a real conversation and the listener would say something equally as unengaged. It was a way to signal "I see you" without trying to pry or get to know the other. It was a way to say, 'hey we are both humans but let's stay separate'
The way this woman said it though felt like an invitation. He nodded his head.
"You don't look that happy though. To be here I mean." she said before looking back out through her binoculours.
"I was just thinking about something. Like being an arrow in a bow being pulled back a lot. And me not ever being able to go back to my old life."
She looked out from her binoculours again. But kept them held close enough to her eyes that she could look through them quickly again.
"Uh huh."
Uh huh. Another phrase that people usually said as a way to wick you off. But this lady felt like she was goading him to say more.
"I'm so far from home."
The way this woman said it though felt like an invitation. He nodded his head.
"You don't look that happy though. To be here I mean." she said before looking back out through her binoculours.
"I was just thinking about something. Like being an arrow in a bow being pulled back a lot. And me not ever being able to go back to my old life."
She looked out from her binoculours again. But kept them held close enough to her eyes that she could look through them quickly again.
"Uh huh."
Uh huh. Another phrase that people usually said as a way to wick you off. But this lady felt like she was goading him to say more.
"I'm so far from home."