The Meet-Cute

Interior of the restaurant/bar, The Whale's Tail.   There is dance music playing over the sound system.  Music and voices mingling with the sounds of clinking glasses; blenders; and fountain drinks being poured, etc.  

Shannon and Rebecca walk through the front doors passing the restaurant seating area; stopping at the bar to order a couple of drinks.  Rebecca prefers Alabama Slammers while Shannon prefers Pina Coladas.  After picking up their drinks they walk down the ramp towards the dance floor and then to the back corner where their friend John is working as the D.J. for the evening.

Shannon:  Hey, John! (Shannon smiles and waves at John as she walks down the ramp from the bar.  Her blonde locks bouncing in rhythm to her steps - Rebecca trailing behind her.)

John:  Hey!  It's great to see you guys. (John waves back with a big grin - looking at each of the girls.  Rebecca nods and smiles at the same time.)

Shannon:  We thought that we would hang out with you tonight. (Shannon continues walking toward John, pulling Rebecca by the arm.)

John:  That's great.  I enjoy the company. (John directs them to the table and chairs behind the D.J. Booth.)

John: I see you got drinks already. (John pushes coasters towards Rebecca and Shannon.)

John:  Tracy has been bringing me drinks -- so if you need anything ask her. (John nods towards the waitress at the bar.)

Shannon:  Thanks, John. (Shannon tilts her head and winks.)

Random Guy:  Hey would you like to dance? (Random Guy walks up to Rebecca; then stands with his left hand on his hip and his right hand extended.)

Rebecca:  Sure (Rebecca nods and rises to her feet.  They walk to the dance floor as popular dance music is pumped through the speakers, passing the bouncer standing nearby.  He smiles at Rebecca.  Rebecca returns the smile and blushes.  Rebecca and random guy dance to the music.  When the song finishes they walk to a table on the other side of the dance floor opposite the D.J. Booth.)

Random Guy:  Would you like a drink?  (Random Guy pulls out a chair for Rebecca.)

Rebecca: A coke is fine. (As Rebecca sits and scoots forward towards the table.  Random guy walks to the bar and orders a couple of drinks.  Rebecca looks around the bar and then towards the D.J. booth to catch Shannon's eye - making sure that Shannon knew where she was.  John looks up from the deck and smiles at Rebecca, raising a thumb.  Rebecca smirks back and then looks away.)

Random Guy #1:  What do you do? (Random guy places the drinks on the table and sits int he chair to her right - scooting his chair closer to her.  Too close, making an exit impossible from that side.)

Rebecca:  What do you mean? (Rebecca scoots her chair back and to the left.)

Random Guy #1:  Do you work? (Random Guy #1 leans in.)

Random Guy #2:  Hey, who's this? (appearing  to the left of Rebecca, taking a seat and scooting toward her - Rebecca now between the two guys.)

Random Guy #1: Oh... I didn't ask. (Random Guy #1 looking at Rebecca, raising his right eyebrow.)

Rebecca:  I'm Rebecca.  (Rebecca looks at both men and quickly looks around the room to find her friends.  Sees John at the D.J. booth but does not see Shannon.)

Random Guy #1: Hi Rebecca, I'm Kent.  This is my buddy Triston.  (Kent points to Triston and both men smile at Rebecca. )

Rebecca:  Hi.  (Rebecca continues to look around the room for her friend.)

Triston: Do you come here often? (Rebecca's head snaps towards Triston in surprise and then her eyes settle on his face.)

Rebecca:  A little cliche, don't you think? (Rebecca picks up her coke with her right hand and takes a sip.)

Triston:  Well, I haven't seen you before.  (Triston places his right hand on the back of Rebecca's chair.)

Rebecca:  Like I said, cliche. (Rebecca sets the drink down on the table.)

Rebecca:  My friend and I are friends with the D.J. (Rebecca nods towards the D.J. booth, making eye contact with John who nods back, also making eye contact with Triston. )

Triston:  Oh, that's nice.  Hey, would you like to dance?  (Triston turns back towards Rebecca, scooting his chair away from the table.)

Rebecca: Not really.  (Rebecca picks up her drink and takes another sip.)

Kent: Dance with my buddy.  (Rebecca turns towards Kent and notices that he has scooted closer.)

Rebecca:  I'd rather not.  (Rebecca turns and looks around the room again for her friend.)

Rebecca:  I really need to get back to my friends. (She spots Shannon standing next to Victor - they are talking and smiling - they begin to laugh when Rebecca catches their attention - she mouths to them:  "Help Me". - they laugh.)

Kent: How about another one of those drinks I saw you drinking earlier? (Rebecca turns to look at Kent.)

Rebecca: No.  I'm a one-drink girl. (Rebecca frowns at Kent and folds her hands in her lap.)

Kent:  Triston, why don't you get us some drinks?  (Kent looks at Triston - both have smirks on their faces.)

Triston:  Will do.  (Triston jumps up and walks briskly towards the bar.)

Kent: We could go to my place to hang.  (Kent leans towards Rebecca - taking in a deep inhale through his nose - like he is smelling her hair.)

Rebecca:  No, I'm here with my friend.  (Rebecca leans away from Kent.)

Kent:  Hey, Triston you should ask Rebecca's friend to join us.  (Kent looks up noticing that Triston has returned with drinks.)

Triston:  Who's that? (Triston looking excited.)

Kent:  The blonde behind the D.J. booth.  (Rebecca, Kent, and Triston all look towards the D.J. booth.  Shannon doesn't notice as she is talking with John.)

Rebecca: We have plans after, so neither of us is available. (Rebecca lies quickly.)

Bouncer: Hey honey.  I think it's time to go home.  (Bouncer places both of his hands on Rebecca's shoulders, leaning in to speak into her left ear.  Rebecca jumps and then settles into her seat.)

Rebecca: Okay.  (Rebecca turns to look at the bouncer and smiles timidly.)

Rebecca:  See yah.  (As the bouncer pulls the chair out for her, Rebecca stands up quickly, smiles at Triston and Kent, takes the bouncers extended arm as she turns away.  Kent and Triston have bewildered looks.)

Bouncer:  Hi, my name is Victor.  (Victor and Rebecca turn their heads to look at each other.)

Rebecca:  Hi, I'm Rebecca.  (Rebecca smiles at Victor and Victor smiles back.)

Victor: I know.  Your friends told me.  (Both Victor and Rebecca looking forward as they continue to walk past the bar, through the restaurant, and out the front door.)

Rebecca:  Yeah, I bet they did.   (Standing at the entrance of the restaurant, Rebecca leans against the wall.)

Victor: Your friend, Shannon, asked me to wait to see if you could get yourself out of the situation. (Victor stands facing Rebecca with his arms crossed and his legs shoulder-width apart.  His arms ripped and dark against the white polo shirt.)

Rebecca: Sounds like her.  (Rebecca lowers her head, looking at her feet.)

Victor:  Did you really need me to intervene? (Victor sounding genuine.)

Rebecca: Yeah... I never know how to handle guys like that. (Rebecca looks up - placing her hands behind her back with her palms pressing into the wall.)

Victor: Well it is probably a good thing that I came to your rescue. (Victor leans against the opposite wall, crossing his legs.)

Rebecca:  Yeah...  Although, I never would have left with them...  Shannon would have punched one of them. (Both Victor and Rebecca laugh, both lowering their arms to rest along their sides.)

Chain Reaction

The red potato pressed against the grater gradually shrunk as thin slices landed on the cutting board below.  In anticipation of a scrumptious meal, several potatoes were quickly sliced and rinsed. Abruptly the slicing stopped as the long blade sliced into the tender flesh of one of the fingers holding the potato.  Potato released in that microsecond when the brain registered the pain and the crimson blood beaded and streamed down the finger and into the palm.

Still tender to the touch; days later the wound will begin to heal.

He left her alone on the porch; walking away with his head bowed low.  She watched as he slowly turned to look at her one last time before getting into his Ford Probe.  Tears flowing freely, she grasped her chest as her heart ached from the breaking.  Clutching her sides she collapsed to the ground sobbing.  So exquisite the pain she had forgotten about the cut on her finger.  As instantly as her brain had registered the cut it had also registered the pain of loss and rejection.

How long will it take for this wound to heal; a lifetime perhaps.

This instantaneous chain reaction; manifesting pain, is meant to protect - warning us to stop what it is that we are doing that causes pain.  What is the purpose of emotional pain when there isn’t a way to prevent or abate it?  The sensory nerves in our body don’t differentiate between physical and emotional pain.  They are simply the vehicle to send impulses about what is happening in our environment to the brain via the spinal cord.

Piano Voices

Piano

I.

I know your mood each time
You stroke my keys
Your choice of signature
Metre and key
The Sonnet and the March
A steady beat
The Minuet and Waltz
O’ so complete
Your sadness swells among
The ebony
While happiness rises
Twinkling above the higher range


II.

Today your anger is pounded
Out upon my board and the thumping
Of the peddles releasing and sustaining
Your sadness of yesterday swelled
When your fingers glided across
The black keys of the minor chord
Tomorrow I hope that joy and
Happiness will join our duet and
Make a trio, plus a refrain

III.

You met me when you were eight and you loved me the instant you could make my heart strings sing.  You labeled every white key with masking tape; a map to the music played.  You took your anger out on me by pounding the keys and stomping on my pedals without leaving a single blemish upon my shiny surface.  I remember when you fell in love.; your hands drifted over my board as your fingers caressed the smooth ivory and ebony keys, dropping the hammers against my internal wires; almost like fingers stroking the strings of a harp.

Modular Poem - Pain

Thursday

I remember parts of Thursday - watched "Coraline" and wrote tons of notes because we are watching it for a college class.

"Coraline" is a little creepy - why would I let my kids watch it?  It's not like I can stop them, they are already adults.  And they've already watched it.

Friday

Friday was my day of bliss with my hands in clay all day. Well until 2:00 p.m. Seven hours of bliss. Then I was home; something happened that distressed me into a panic.   I was a reck for the rest of the day.

Saturday

I originally had plans for Fish n Chips; I canceled them.  I told my friends a half-truth for the reason why.  I made new plans on Friday for Saturday and ended up not doing the new plans either.  I didn't lie - I just didn't tell the whole truth.

Instead of having a nice day out with my friends, I stayed home all day - cleaned; washed some clothes; finished an essay.

BTW: It’s not like me to lie. I didn’t want to lie - but I was embarrassed and ashamed...

Sunday

I don’t remember Sunday. I think I sat at my computer - Oh yeah, I did. I remember now.  There was more homework to do, mail to open and files to organize.  It was awesome, I found a short story I had started writing a while back - it's pretty good.  Right now it's sad - I promise there is a happy ending - but not like a fairy tale happy ending - those aren't real.  If they were I would be with the prince of my dreams.

Monday

I was excited about school; I was going to see my favorite people. I don’t think I’m theirs… I don’t care.

I still get to see them and talk with them.  We share ideas and experiences - well not everyone - I have some friends who don't say much; but when they do it is meaningful, intelligent, brilliant and often pretty funny. Actually, it's just one friend.  One of my favorites.

Oh, I put the wrong contacts in - because I couldn't see the color - apparently I wore my black ones and terrified all the students in the tutoring center; plus some of the tutors - this might explain the strange look I received from one of my favorites in the creative writing class.  Another friend, Max, told me that he thought I was possessed.

Tuesday

I got to see two more favorite people. We watched the ending of "Coraline" and then my two favorite people and I worked on a poster.   We drew an eye, a button, a drachma and the river Styx with the ferryman.  I really enjoyed that.  And we wrote some drivel:  "the eyes are the windows to the soul".  I guess it's not drivel - I cover my eyes with contacts so no one can see into my soul.  I wear mine on my sleeve - or is that my heart?

OMG! I felt an earthquake after class. I freaked out. I told a friend. I don’t think he believed me. It was real. I swear. You can ask my other friend, who was there.

Wednesday

Today is Wednesday. I woke up this morning in pain. A pain that I am all too familiar with. It’s the pain that I was warned about.  The pain that precedes the necessity of the wheelchair - kind of like the calm before the storm -but the storm is happening now.   Victor purchased my new wheelchair six months ago. As soon as I become friends with the wheelchair I will have to schedule surgery. I will have to quit school. I will not be able to do anything for at least six months… the definition of complete empty calm.

I don’t want that. I want to live my life and do all the things that I haven’t done yet. I want to get another piercing and I want to get my first tattoo (I'm a little afraid).  I want to kiss the young man that I fancy - I'm glad he doesn't know  - At least I don't think so. I want to write an epic novel. I want to travel to Europe. I want to walk the line for graduation with my favorites.

So, I put my jazz shoes on and kicked my heel at the beautiful blue wheelchair sitting in the corner. I will wear these shoes all day so that I can feel each pebble and crack in the concrete. I will feel the warmth of the heated cement and asphalt and the texture of the carpet in the LRC. I will perform Tai Chi feeling every slat of wood along with its cracks. And I will memorize it all for when I can’t.

Prose Poetry - Pain

The pain woke me far too early. 4:00 a.m. maybe. Tears welled up; not because of the pain, but for what the pain meant. Struggling, I finally slip out of bed; pushing past pain. The wheelchair in the corner with outstretched arms waiting for me to accept his embrace. “Not today,” I said. “Perhaps tomorrow; for I have too much to do today.”

I cried again in the shower - because I was alone.  Showers are perfect places to sob and so I did.  I took my time selecting my clothes, styling my hair and applying my make-up.  It was important for me to feel pretty and pretend that everything was okay.

Weak and shaky, I will make it through today; on my own; like I have been doing all along.

As I walked out the front door I turned to the corner and said: "Mr. Blue, my wheelchair; you will just have to wait, I’m not ready. Ask me tomorrow."  I can almost guarantee I won't give in to the pain or that beautiful blue wheelchair.

Free Verse - Pain

I woke this morning to the pain; returned
I found myself weeping at its cost
I found the courage to rise and
Push through the pain.

I should have known; there were
Symptoms before the pain.
I ignored it; denying it; hoping
For another day.

I put my dance shoes on; my defiance
And hatred for the wheelchair
That sits in the corner waiting for
Me to need him - not today.

My reason for living drives and pushes
Me past the pain.
Yet shaking and weak; I am here today.
Pushing past the pain.

The day will come when I won’t be able
To stand, but I stand today.
I push through and work hard to finish
Everything I’ve started.

I want to leave my mark; before I can’t.

Heather Satin

The heather soft one and the satin black

  curled; resting quietly at my feet.

The mother and her milk are far distant

  memories, dreaming, lonely doth they sleep.

Hissing, jumping, cattail and paw boxing

  whining, crying, tail twitching while eating.

Kneading, fluffing, curled up against my side

  purring, stretching,  eyes gazing into mine.

The gray and black safe from neglect and harm

The gray one and the black one

  now cradled in my arms.

Beneath The Trees

For one bright year, it was just me and thee

Playing beneath the apple and pear trees.

Along came another so bright and fair

Teary,  glassy, blue eyes and dark brown hair.

Little mothers to be beneath the trees

Learning to love, nurture, snuggle and tease.

Another year together, me and thee

Playing beneath the apple and pear trees.

Seasons and places change for me and thee

We still find time to play beneath the trees.

Picking each peach and plum found at our feet

Washing, slicing, so sugar sweet to eat.

What once was three becomes four and then five

Our little home, buzzing like a beehive.

Another year together, me and thee

Playing beneath old deciduous trees.

Yet time moves on beneath all ancient trees

Who lonely, wish to be near me and thee.

Ancient, the black walnut rests on the hill

Swaying and bending with each little shrill.

The rope drawn taught as we clung to the tires

Our gangly legs reached higher and higher.

What once was five becomes six and seven

Two precious spirits from spires of heaven.

For many years it was just me and thee

Dancing and playing beneath the palm trees.

They stretched high above us touching blue skies

Until I found him gazing in your eyes.

We witnessed vows born of a love divine

Both your hands' commingling and intertwined.

One last moment it was just me and thee

Before you left me beneath a lone tree.

Years passed without the company of thee

I think of you beneath my citrus trees.

Alone, you raised your four and I my three

Who played and laughed beneath our separate trees.

Again time moves on beneath the ancient trees

Who lonely, wish to be near me and thee.

Another day will pass for me and thee

One standing, one sleeping beneath the trees.

Another Adventure

My time is near for another adventure -
One where my life should have meant something.

I feel the sun on my face as I
Watch it set for me; possibly
one last time.

I hope I still have time to do so
Many things I haven't done yet.

The backpacking across Europe remains
On my list.

I wish I could still do that; with
Someone who would want to see
Europe too.

I think I want to spend a year
There exploring the space and nature.

Maybe I'll paint the Italian sky -
You know the light is different there.

Maybe I'll spend time at a Sicilian
Vineyard; learning how to grow grapes

And then learning how to make wine.
Maybe, I'll create a label; leaving
Something of myself behind.

I would like to explore so many places
Like Stonehenge; the Louvre, Kensington
Palace and Westminster Abbey.

Maybe I'd take you; the you that is
Most important to me; the you that
Fills my soul with light.

Maybe I'll leave this life as you hold
Me.  We'll be watching the Mediterranean
Sunset; with me cradled in your arms.

But, what will I be leaving?  Have I
Made a difference?  Will I be
Remembered after I'm gone?

Will you remember me?

I'll remember you; the spark of life
That you've given me.  I will
Cherish it and protect it.

I still have time.

I will leave my mark.

Another Adventure Storybook Link