Today I had to make a trip to Lowe’s. Nothing exciting. Just one of those ordinary errands that adults spend way too much of their lives doing.

The problem is my ex-wife works there.

The second I saw her, I did what any reasonable person would do. I changed direction and avoided her like the plague. Some people enjoy awkward conversations with people from their past. I am not one of those people.

Unfortunately, my wife wasn’t as lucky.

While I was busy pretending an entire section of the store no longer existed, she ended up getting stuck talking to my ex. I honestly felt bad for her. She went to Lowe’s expecting to shop, not get pulled into an unexpected conversation she never signed up for.

The whole thing reminded me how strange life can be. Years can pass. Entire chapters of your life can close. Then suddenly you’re standing in a hardware store trying to decide whether you need a box of screws while actively avoiding someone you used to be married to.

There wasn’t any drama. No yelling. No big scene. Just one of those moments where you remember exactly why some people belong in your past.

I got what I needed and got out of there.

My wife, on the other hand, deserved hazard pay.