This Saturday started grey, typical of a winter mood only that it is autumn. Leaves are starting to fall, turning the shade of reddish-brown, burnt orange, the crackle sound of crunch under fashionable or practical boots.
The two friends stirred contemplating breakfast and wondered how they were ever going to get out of bed to brave the cold. They decided on accomplishing a morning routine that involved swallowing vitamins, drawing eyebrows, and brushing both hair and teeth.
Not long after, their journey to breakfast started, spurred on by the idea of shopping even if that meant croissant and salad but of course, what is shopping without ensuring to buy things not even listed😉? That’s where the fun begins and the credit card bleeds. The regret will come later but for now, these words are vital “mit karte bitte”.
They finally settled on a coffee shop with croissants, salad, tea, and people watching, while they engaged in passionate conversations about meaningless nothings… a colleague at work, the plant they bought; whether it’d survive or not, a dentist appointment and one for pedicure. Crooked teeth, if braces were cute and of course men.🙄
Back at the loft, they decided on a movie, actually a Spanish drama based on revenge and childhood trauma. Cuddled on the bed, heater on high, warm tea in hand, the conversations quieted to the dialogue of fervent screen players. They eventually dozed off. Only to be startled awake by the realization that they had an outing to prepare for.
The less enthusiastic friend remained in bed while the other dashed to the bathroom in readiness. Eventually, they step out prim and proper as one can manage with several layers of protective gears against the elements. Smiling pleasantly, hand in hand, looking forward to an evening of laughter, family, and warm food. Actually, just one friend, the other was wondering why she could not be culled up with a book by a fire place and lost in the world of dukes and duchesses…
The trip didn’t go as planned… Lots of detours, they were already late for dinner by the time they got there, even later when they headed out to buy a gift for the host, it was already past dinner time. Eventually, they had the good food, table talk, and rowdy laughter typical of a boisterous friendly conversations.
Heading back home proved even more problematic, with all the public means of transportation conspiring to keep them stranded.
Then, the evening got interesting….
She saw him sitting, all gothic, white ear phones, bopping his head to the tunes but that was not all she noticed, it was how neat the middle part of his shoulder- length hair was. Being who she was, she just had to tell him. Of course, her companion did not share the sentiment and decided to avoid her in case it backfired. She went anyway and said the first thing on her mind “I love your hair”. He responded, thank you. Are you waiting for the bus she said, yes, for an hour now. I don’t think it is coming. Do you maybe want to split cab fare?
There is a protest I think, he continues. Who do you support “Israel or Palestine?” I don’t support war she says, I have no opinion. It’s easy to have no opinion is it not? He says, it is war, you’ve got to pick a side. She paused to consider this and decided to stir the conversation to less political terrain. He continues, “you should care more about what is happening around you.”
What do you do and how long have you lived in this city she interjects, “I have been here for 10 months, I am a musician” Can I hear any of your songs she asks, “I only play live” what kind of music ? He says noise. She stops puzzled, that’s a genre of music?
They finally got a cab, all three of them. The conversation continued about the different experiences of immigrants in a society where conservatism and disinterest runs at its peak. They talked about drug pandemic and the abuse of the soul. The never ending pursuit to escape haunting memories…They talked about salsa clubs, merriment, and partying.
The conversation eventually pattered out, one of the passengers started dozing off. Then bedtime came but one of the friend fell asleep thinking about how to awaken to the world around.
Is it really by paying minute attention in a distracting world? by fighting every cause just to show concern, to parade every protest, to give everything? Who really can?
The war is never about the cause or the rationale, it is a fight to prevail over basal humanity.
Connoisseur of Memories 