SMASHED POTATOES & POTHOLES

Of Potholes & Smashed Potatoes

con’t from Joie De Vivre!

Putting the car in neutral and pulling up the hand brake (I drive a ‘stick’ as the Americans like to call it), I lean over to grab the two or three bags from the floor and find a treasure trove of food, both for people and dog.  Wow!  How did I forget all about this great stuff and more importantly, where are The Thin Man and his dog?

* * *

Rummaging through the bags, I find decadent double-chocolate cookies, a little soft from the hot day, more fruit, the thermal bag with three small containers of Sofie’s home-made dog food and a medium-size container of kibble.  Oh, and a very soft chocolate bar.  I find a plastic shopping bag in the trunk and start putting pretty much everything into it, including more water.  I check my wallet and find a $20.00 bill, which I keep in my hand.  Getting back into the car, I say, “Hold on, Sofie, I’m pulling a u-ie”, and I do.

I high-tail it back east on Highway #2, hoping that The Thin Man hasn’t turned off.  He hasn’t.  A few miles down the road, I see him peddling his bike, Titus sitting regally in the child trailer, looking straight ahead, staring at his master’s skinny behind.  I start honking my horn and gesturing out the window for the man to pull over, onto the side road that he’s approaching.  He seems startled, then realizes it’s me and pulls off the highway.  I follow suit, make another U-turn and park behind him. 

“I’m glad I saw you again.” 

 “How come you came back?” asks the Thin Man.

“I found some more food and stuff in the car and thought you’d like to have it.”  I open the grocery bag and pull out the chocolate cookies.  His eyes light up like a kid at Christmas and I hand the plastic bag to him and say, “This can be dessert.  And I have some of Sofie’s food for Titus.  Oh, and bring me that half-full pop bottle again.  I found some more water that you can have.”  He brings the bottle over and when I finish pouring, it’s almost full.  

“Here,” I say and transfer the $20.00 bill from my hand to his, “Maybe you can buy some smashed potatoes to go with that turkey.”  With that, I see tears come  into the Thin Man’s eyes and he closes his hand over the money. As I start walking away, The Thin Man calls out, “Wait, what’s your name?”

“Phyllis,” I reply, “What’s yours?” 

“Greg”, he says, as he walks towards me.  “Thank you so much for all you’ve given me.  Your generosity has made a huge difference for me and Titus. I really appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome.  I hope the rest of your journey is a bit cooler or shadier.   Bike safe and take care.”  With that, I get back into the car and as I check my rear view mirror for oncoming traffic, I see the glint of tears on Greg’s face.  Pulling back out onto Highway #2, I try to swallow the lump in my throat − give my head a shake and turn westward once again.  What other adventures will there be for me on my way home? 

Driving gives you a lot of time to think, sometimes not such a good thing.  Becoming introspective thinking about Greg and his simple life, the tumultuous events which have shaped the past four or five years of my life, rise to the surface − being forced out of a job which I loved, after 25 years, and was really very good at − the resultant two year life limbo dealing with a lawsuit; unemployment; new employment working for a delusional moron − a nice guy but really out of touch with reality; family tensions and stresses; a treasured friendship flushed; losing my 4-legged soul mate, Sheba, the love of my life for 15 years – oh, so many things when I stop to think about them all − too many.  Sadness, for what might have been.  Tears are very near and I blink hard to keep them at bay. 

Hitting a series of huge pot holes, I’m jolted out of my reverie.  It’s like the universe is sending me a message – stop dwelling on what was.  Remember to live in the present − be in the moment and be thankful.

This moment is golden. I will always remember Greg and Titus and being able to make a difference in their lives.  I feel the impact they made on mine − the epiphany of understanding a simple life − creating our own joy.  Those nebulous feelings I haven’t been able to put into words suddenly crystallize and now I know what I want.  A shadow has lifted, and smiling, I drive into the setting sun, my joie de vivre restored.  Home beckons and I can’t wait to get there.  

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