sometimes i'm just really not sure how to respond to things

--a man wearing exercise (running?) clothes and a backpack passes by on the sidewalk. he stops, takes off his backpack, pulls out a cigarette and lights up.

--i'm running. there is a gravel parking lot coming up on my right. as i approach a grey car, the boy inside holds a trumpet out the window and begins playing a song at me. i wish i knew what the song was, i feel like that might help me to understand...

--this is the third time now that i have seen this guy. the first time i thought he was just being polite, but now... each time we've passed he has looked at me very intently. the way that you would if i had something terrible growing on my face. or a rat in my hair. or blood pouring out my eyes. it's not the polite quick and friendly glance with possible smile that you give when passing a stranger--no, it's a flat out stare. it starts many feet away and continues with full head turn after passing. what do you want from me, strange man? are we long lost friends suddenly reunited here on the street? do i look like someone you used to know? because unless you have a compelling reason for this sir, i will not give in to forced eye contact.