automated
The express checkout machines are marvels of futility. People run their coupons back and forth to no effect, swipe cards that aren't read, feed bills that get spit out. A sign flashes. "Help is on the way," intones a ghostly female voice. Does anyone come?
cheery
As we pray on a Friday evening, an ice cream truck starts to crank out music, and we laugh.
commiserate
People who are suffering don't need to hear that they should have had perfect foresight; that if only they'd acted perfectly and anticipated a dozen possible eventualities, they wouldn't be suffering.
moribund
An old fridge, speckled with mold, its belly full of warm food.
spilling
Sometimes when she talks she falls into a rhythm similar to stream-of-consciousness. It doesn't really matter who she's talking to; she just needs to empty her mind of stories and details. Sometimes she expresses a hope or wish, or she makes things up to give the impression that her days are full of excitement, accomplishments, and closeness to people.
targeted
Insults that contain a truth I'm squirming to avoid.
withdrawing
It hurts watching kids quickly give up on something because they're afraid of looking stupid.
