Don’t talk to strangers

In a newly opened cafe in my neighborhood, I make small talk with the co-owner whom I’ve never met.

Me: Congratulations. The cafe seem to be doing well.
Him: Yeah. Well. I guess.
Me: You got some great publicity. I hope you’re doing well.
Him: This is a second business for both of us.
Me: Really? What’s the first business?
Him: Entertainment production. I have a 14-month-old.
Me: Wow. Yeah, that’s another full-time job! That’s great.
Him: No. Not really. I’m about to be a single dad. I think. It’s not going that well. I don’t know what’s going on.
Me: Oh? Really? Huh. That’s, um…too bad.
Him: I don’t know what happened.
Me: Um. Huh. Well, new business, etc.
Him: I don’t know what’s up with her. I think I’m going to be getting a divorce.
Me: Huh. OK. Well. That’s too bad. I’m, uh, sorry to hear that.
Him: I guess I’ll be a single parent.
Me: ….
employee: Can you turn up the lights? It’s getting dark.
Him: I gotta go.
Me:…