Sharing the following posts with the permission of the author. It has been divided into 3 continuous posts to be published over the next week.
I enjoyed reading it and I hope you do too. The link to Rinalda's site is below the post.
By Rinalda
Namaste
Last week I got a text message from an old client. Well, a used-to-be-client. Once or twice a year he would send a text to enquire about my welfare. When he did so last week I responded telling him he was quite sudden. Since we were just touching base, in about two texts each the exchange was over.
Wednesday I hopped into Port of Spain and was walking down Queen Street when I heard my name…the birth certificate version. I looked back and saw him. Fancy that! Him on Queen Street. He said it’s in the creases and corners of these streets that the real and the genuine are found, so he ensures that he keeps in touch.
The top-notch folks he deals with tend to be superficial. I told him that the top is supposed to be superficial. So there he was, strolling and sipping soup from a cup. We walked together and stopped by Lucky Bakery as there was still much to be said and he was not ready for me to cross the road to get a taxi. The rain came down and the conversation continued. Eventually he asked if it was just him or am I getting wet too. It’s just sprinkles, I told him. And you’re good with that? Yes I am. He laughed.
He remarked that as he was walking behind me he wondered how it is that I have managed to remain so small (not a word I would use to describe myself). And don’t tell me about juices and liquefying food, he said. Okay. I still try to have some green juice daily, and I toggle with the flour, but try to keep it off my dinner menu. Really?
I don’t eat much starch at all, and look at me. I do the fruits, vegetables and fish, basically, but I still seem to be putting on the weight. You look good to me, I told him. If I sit on you you won’t say that. You plan to do that? Sit on me? There was an appropriate pause while he chose his words. No. I don’t want to fight with you anymore. My goodness!
We used to fight? (He’s a nice guy who had a glass-case in which to place me, but I don’t do enclosures.) You have many abilities so you fight on many levels. What if I say that over the years the fight has been knocked out of me and I’m a total push-over now? You? Not you. You know how some people change with time? Yes. You’re not one of them. Is that good or bad?
He ignored the question and told me that there was something in my eye. I asked what it was. He looked closer and said it was a grey speck. Then he moved himself from side to side and remarked that it was his reflection he was seeing.
Are you telling me that you’re nothing more than a grey speck in my eyes? Come on, you have to do better than that. I reached into my bag to get a brochure to give to him as he has access to some information that I need and he promised to email it to me. He said he already has my email address. Really? From where? He said online. Okay.
Then he told me that though he has not come for a massage in years, he keeps abreast with my world from my website. Oh really?! Yes. Okay. Always surprising when I learn that one of the movers and shakers of society is showing an interest in my ramblings. I’ll definitely have to get a proofreader.
Anyway, he wanted to know if I cut my hair. Yep. Twice. He did not approve. Hmmm. These men who are eternally single can be very amusing. I guess that had he been doing massages consistently my desire to cut my hair would have come up in conversation and he would have protested and I might have so wanted to please my client (who could never decide whether he was a client or suitor) that I would have kept my hair to please him.
And for all his being single, he was speaking of his ‘nephew-in-law.’ Where did he get that from, a grammar book? Oh, okay, I understand. It’s not his spouse’s nephew, but his sister’s husband’s nephew. This is why I stick to massage…and some conversation. People have complicated lives and I don’t want to get tangled.
I told him that I posted a blog earlier this year in which I mentioned him because in thinking of the subject I remembered him, but I did not imagine that he was a maco. I pointed out that though he may recognize himself, it could have been anyone as I try to keep identities anonymous so that the lesson is shared without me having to face libel suits. He was fine with that.
Good. It was time to part ways. A hug was inevitable. He opened his arms wide and said: We both need this, come here. So I got myself a big hug. Yeah! What are we doing next week? He asked. Are we supposed to be doing something? Maybe… Last week was the text.
This week, we run into each other (a highly unlikely thing). There should be something next week. Here’s what, you think of something for us to do, then call me and let me know. He agreed, but even as we smiled at each other we knew it does not work that way. We may never see each other again for another few years. We do not meet because we have fuzzy feelings. Purpose dictates our steps.
Check back - Part 2 to be continued.
Check back - Part 2 to be continued.
“Any wine will get you high. Choose the purest.”
