Thoughts.com Blogs - Early Sunday Morning

View Blog

Early Sunday Morning

The weather reports had, for several days, predicted a pleasant Sunday.   Apparently, they messed up.   It's raining.   Millions upon millions of dollars in meteorological equipment, and they can't even get this right.

As I'm walking across my front lawn, in the drizzle, attempting to get my Sunday papers, I hear my cellphone giving me the familiar four beeps.   Who would possibly be texting me at six-thirty on a Sunday morning?

Brenda.   Hmmm.

'You around right now?'

I head back into my house.   'Yep'.

'Fire up the griddle?'

I laugh out loud.   I don't know anyone else on God's green earth I'd even offer such a courtesy to, at this time and place.

'Only if you keep it quiet- Carolyn's asleep'.

A minute passes; one which is used to do my personal business in the bathroom.   Four more beeps...

'OMW'

This gives me ten or fifteen minutes to pick up around the house and get the griddle ready to go.    I have music playing softly on my kitchen CD player.   Sam Cooke with the Soul Stirrers.   No better music for God's day of rest.   I take out the pancake mix, along with the buttermilk, and several eggs.   Just as I'm completed making the batter, I hear the soft knock on the door.    I walk to the door, and think I hear more than one voice on the other side.   Well.   This could be a moment I've been waiting for, right?

"Hello!" Brenda says.   She's accompanied by a stout Asian woman, my height (5'6"), with gray flecked hair.   She has radiant eyes, and a very natural smile.
"Come on in," I say, quietly."
They both enter.   "George, this is Mindy Okimoto."
We both give each other a 'hi'.   "I've heard so much about you," she says, while our hands embrace.
"Likewise!"   I could see Brenda's face; this is a very happy moment for her.   "We have to keep quiet, my wife's asleep.   Come on into the kitchen."
They both follow me.   The griddle has had a chance to get good and hot.   As they settle themselves, and pour themselves coffee, I put butter on the griddle.   The sizzle and the aroma delight the senses.
"So," I say, "what do you do?"
Mindy sips her coffee.   "I manage a temp agency, down in Columbus.    And you?"
"I'm a flunky at a car dealership.   If you're not repairing cars there, you're a flunky, no matter what you do."
Mindy laughs.
"How did you both meet, anyway?"
"At Panera Bread."
"In Princeton," Mindy interjects.
"I was there with a couple of friends, and Bren was there with a couple of friends, and we each had a mutual friend who knew each other.   We're all crowded around a table, and..."
"And?"   I check to see if the pancakes are done on one side.   Not yet.
"And," Brenda says, clearing her throat, "I see Mindy, and it's like..."
"She couldn't stop staring at me."
"Yeah, I guess that's about right."   Brenda's kind of nervous right now, it's like she really doesn't want to talk of this.   It's embarrassing.   I decide to press on.
"So, you started talking?"
"Yes," Mindy says.   Brenda wanted to exchange numbers.   I was a little knocked off my horse.   I told her that I come in frequently at this time, maybe we'll see each other again?"
I flip the pancakes over.   "Boy, I'll bet you took that well, didn't you?"
Brenda's actually blushing.   "Umm..."
"She did, though."
"So, what did I do?" Brenda clears her throat again.   "I went to Panera Bread.   Every night.   Started cutting into my work, but I didn't care.   After about a week of agony, she comes in again."
"Right."   I could see Mindy smiling.
"We talk for an hour and a half, and still she won't give me her fucking phone number!"
"I thought we were going too fast!"
This time I laugh.   "Fast as a push mower."
"I walked outside with her, to the taxi.   I memorized the number on the roof, and I said, 'I'll call you.'   I knew she'd be all topsy-turvy, so I made a firm promise.   I kept that promise."
"Yep.   Took three days, but she did call."
The first batch is done.   I put it out on a large platter so they could each help themselves.   I have a jug of maple syrup on the table, with a tub of margarine.   "When did she finally give you her phone number?"
"Two days after her first call.   I felt like I was promoted to Captain."
Mindy takes a deep breath.   "You see, I was married, for twenty years.   Two girls, both grown.   The divorce knocked the stuffing out of me."   She pours syrup on her pancakes.   "I wasn't even able to admit to myself until about four years ago that I was...what I am.    I jumped into a relationship right after my divorce with someone, and it was a very hurtful learning experience.   So, I'm not jumping anywhere anymore.   I want to be sure."
"I understand."
"I made Brenda jump through hoops, but I think she understands, too."
"Do you?"
She smiles sardonically.   "Yep."
The bedroom door opens; my wife gives a momentary look into the kitchen, nods, and goes into the bathroom.
"Will you hear about this later?"   Mindy asks.
"I don't think so.   It's Brenda.   Not like it's one of my co-workers or anything like that, who decided to just drop in."
Mindy smiles.   "George, these pancakes are incredible!"
"Told ya."   Brenda takes more from the platter.
"Thanks.   Just good, old fashioned buttermilk pancakes."
"There was," Mindy says, "a small roadside place where I grew up, that made wonderful pancake breakfasts.   The owner died, and it closed, and everyone went into mourning."
"Where was this?"
"I'm from California.   Mendocino."
"One more person who's not from these parts, right, Brenda?"
"George is obsessed with that concept."

Carolyn comes out of the bathroom, following the noises of sink faucets and flushing commodes.   "Hi!" she greets cheerfully.
"Mindy, this is my wife, Carolyn."
They greet each other.
"So, you're the famous Mindy, huh?   George feeding you well, I hope?"
"He's feeding me like a gracious host!
"You make for me, too?"
"Of course, I would, you shan't even ask."
"Welcome to our house, Mindy," Carolyn says.  "Make yourself at home."
She looks at Brenda, who eats heartily (whenever she can, of course), and replies, "I feel like I already am..."

Posted by Knoxxie03 on 2008-03-16 11:48:14 | Rating: