What life will I be living?
These questions were frequent visitors to the confines of my ever-busy mind. Then, I had THE VISION.
After years and years of incessant debating...
Rich or satisfactorily paid?
Alone or with family?
White picket fence or parking meter?
Cat lady or animal-denouncer?
...everything fell together in a few minutes of smooth contemplation.
I know what I want. And here it is:
The big city wakes up.
The honking of cars, the flapping of pigeon wings, the incredible blast of a stereo alarm--those big city sounds begin.
A woman of six-and-twenty years of age rises from bed. It's me.
"Good morning Jasper," I say as I pat my loyal Golden Retriever. He replies with a perky bark, jumps onto my bed, and gives me an affectionate wake-up lick.
"Ready boy?" I walk over to the stereo, lower the volume to a pleasurable setting, and commence with the rest of my morning routine.
Breakfast. "Frosted Flakes are moooooore than good. They're grrrrrreat!" I chant as the favored cereal is prepared. Milk in a separate cup. Just how I like it. Jasper sees my meal and heads to his eating spot.
We finish breakfast. I head to the bathroom. Mirror, good ol' sport, let me give you the time of day.
Blast it. Still got that overbite. Chose to skip out on the ever-popular brace-phase; however, a whitening took place.
I smile with my pearly whites. I love my smile--not out of conceitedness, but contentment. Then, I jump in the shower. I never was one to prolong the bathing experience, so I'm out in a jiffy.
I take a look at that good ol' sport, again, with my treasured smile. Then I break out the toothbrush. Brush, brush, brush...
I get the hair in the identifying ponytail that is Jannel. That didn't change.
Luckily, some things did. No more contacts or glasses. Thank god--no more goggles. That surgery was worth every penny.
I throw on some garb, kick up my Nikes, and walk onto the balcony. Jasper follows, as is custom.
Leaning on the rail, "It's a new day Jasper, ol' pal ol' buddy. Wonderful isn't it?" I speak these words in a hushed tone. The wonder is overwhelming. It's all too perfect. I inhale a big whiff of the big city air--pigeon crap, exhaust, body odor from down below. I suppress a cough and laugh, amused at the fact that I love it. I absolutely love it all. A few more minutes and then it's back inside. I gather all my things. Not much really. Just my money. I never did get a wallet. My license. Though I don't have a car to use it with. My phone. And all my other little bits of whatevers.
I look around my studio condo. Everythings in order. My extensive shelves of books are all safe and strong. My stereo is off. My sofas are...being sofas. My computer is sleeping. My table is clear. My kitchen is tidy. Everything seems to be in order. So simple. So relaxing. So much space.
Bark!
Oh yes, I mustn't forget my good-bye lick. Jasper trots up to me and does exactly that. I return the love--with a pat of course. "See ya later boy." And I leave.
"Hello Tamar." I see my best friend, who resides right across from me. She smiles that loud smile I know and love. We head to the elevator.
"Top o' the mornin to ya Ms. Banks and Ms. Celis," says George, the amiable front-desk-man. "Have a great day at work."
"You too George. Oh yeah! if Jeff stops by, tell him I'm...ummm...dead or something. Make something up. You know the deal." I say with an apprehensive smile. Another one of those corny admirers. Males are still unappealing. "Please and thanks."
"You got it ma'am." He says as he jots a reminder down on his notepad. Tamar hails a cab. We board it; it's a Tuesday, so we let our bikes rest.
[We head to our mutual workplace. A hospital most likely. We both have jobs in the medical field. Or (in Tamar's VISION) we head to our separate workplaces, which happen to be rivaling hospitals.]
Hours are up. Time to head back home.
After laughing hysterically after a nerdy joke was passed, I say, "So, besides that, anything interesting occur?"
"Yeah. This cute guy had an appointment with me. Turns out he needs heart surgery. So [assuming Tamar is a heart surgeon] once I save his life, I might just ask him out to dinner. He's too sweet Jannel. And--get this--he has a British accent!"
"Nice find Tamar. Wait, did you check his marital status? You know what happened last time..." And the conversation continues until we pull up to some Chinese place. "Man. I'm a-hungerin' for some real food. You can only eat so many TV dinners."
"I feel you Jannel. Lucky Ling Chao's has such a convenient location." The Chinese restaurant is right across our condo. We get off the taxi, pay the driver, and walk inside. We're periodic regulars at Chao's. We go through the memorized menu in our heads and immediately order. We're really hungry.
After we finish our meal, we walk home.
"Hey George," we both exclaim as we pass through the building's squeaky-clean glass doors.
"Hey ladies. How was your day?"
"Splendid," answers Tamar.
"Yup," I agree.
"Ms. Banks, I informed Jeff of your unexpected departure into the better place. He expressed his deepest sympathy to Ms. Tamar and left this gift basket he was supposed to give to the living you."
"Thanks George. You can keep it."
"No, thank you ma'am. I love all the gifts your admirers present. Keep it up and I'll have a basement full of delectable wines." Tamar and I laugh and bid farewell till the next day. We head up to our domiciles and part.
I open the door to a playful Jasper. He gets upright and again gives me that affectionate lick of his. "I missed you too buddy."
It's study time. I browse through my great collection of literature and select a rather large volume on quantum mechanics. I sit on my favored sofa and read until I feel heavy-eyed.
Brush, brush, brush, brush...Untie ponytail. Quick shower. Throw on some sleep garb. "Jasper." I call. He prepares his usual spot on my bed. Once he's done, I shut off the light and close my eyes.
The shutting off of cars, the landing of pigeons, the soft respiration of my loyal Golden Retriever--those big city sounds lead me away into Sleepland.
The big city sleeps.
But that's only one uneventful weekday.
