“Twelve dollars?!” She scoffed, “Looks like a bag of grass clippings!” She tossed the organic lemongrass tea back on the discount shelf, adjusted her Bluetooth and made a beeline for the designer handbags across the aisle.
Grass clippings? He looked up from the dress shirt he’d been contemplating. Turning the bag over, he read the back: Lemongrass has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to relieve pain and reduce fever. He remembered his foster mother adding it directly to a pot of boiling water and letting it simmer. “Better than a teapot,” she would say. The fragrance filled the kitchen as he dropped his books on the counter. “You’re staying home today,” she cut him off as he protested. “You need to take care of yourself first. Get better faster and go back to school stronger than ever.” She poured the steaming amber liquid into his Superman mug. He looked at the floor and couldn’t think of anything to say; he wasn’t used to being cared for like this.
“‘Scuse me.” He blinked and looked up as someone shoved past him with a shopping cart overflowing with crap. The things people buy. It still amazed him. He looked at the dress shirt again. The blue was the same shade worn by a lot of guys at the office. Layoffs were looming and he’d need the money for other things if he got fired. Last in, first out, you know. Still, he needed proper office clothes. “If I get fired this will be a good interview shirt,” he decided. An investment in his future either way. He looked back at the lemongrass tea. He hadn’t budgeted for it. Twelve dollars…what could he do without this week? Certified organic, sustainably grown and harvested. He inhaled and he was back in her kitchen. He put the tea on top of the shirt and made his way to the long checkout line. He’d figure it out.
His reservations about spending the money are like the thoughts in my head at every record store.
As for the lady, she should see her dentist if her blue tooth is loose.
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You made me think of Nick Hornby. “Is it wrong, wanting to be at home with your record collection? There’s a whole world in here, a nicer, dirtier, more violent, more peaceful, more colorful, sleazier, more dangerous, more loving world than the world I live in….” He’s one of my favorite writers.
Haha, well there’s that too 🙂
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I have been reading mostly musician autobiographies so I do not apend as much time as I should with actual authors.
Do you have the Ben Folds Lonely Avenue deluxe version which includes a Nick Hornby book?
Also. Does Nick Hornby band still perform with The Range?
😉
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Any biographies going at the moment?
I don’t have that Ben Folds Lonely Avenue version, and I understand Nick Hornby wrote lyrics for the album.
Hmm…maybe that’s what they’re up to now 😉
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I am reading a brand new one. I will be reviewing it when I am done so I don’t want to give it away, but is is from an American and he was born there. He also danced on stage with a young Monica.
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Hint. Not Bill Clinton.
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Haha 🙂
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Fantastic! I heard he released an autobiography. I’m looking forward to your review!
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It might be a while. Finding time for a 500 page book is harder these days. I’m only 1/3 through, but it is a good read.
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Is there an audio version? I’m glad you’re enjoying it so far. I’m wondering if his sister had a role in the writing? There are lyrics “my sister’s sitting around here trying to write this book”.
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Or maybe it’s “sick of sitting around here trying to write this book”….
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A superb and fun read … (in the back of my mind I think “Been there … done that”) thanks for my evening smile 🙂
g
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Thanks so much, G! I’m delighted you enjoyed it. “Been there…done that” — I’m intrigued! So glad you smiled 🙂
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We all have our mysteries with an abundance of sordid details and eyebrow raising shadowed pasts hidden in our inner closets Ms Danica …
But … as the poem says …
When I am gone,
What I saw,
What I did,
Will be irrelevant …
But for a moment … I ran with the wind …
jem 2015 the poem “What”
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So true, G. Those mysteries are the best ingredients for writing, and perhaps all art.
Running with the wind is the best we can hope for. Even for a moment.
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Two essentials right there, I reckon. That tea will help him get through the initial uncertainty of his job and the potential shock of a job loss. Great piece, Danica.
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Wonderful insight and observations, J! I didn’t think of those aspects. Thanks so much, I’m really glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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Nice piece of writing. Completely self contained.
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Thank you very much, Rob! I’m delighted that you enjoyed it.
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I loved this!! There is always a smell that reminds us of an important moment in our past. I loved that he would rather do without something just for a few moments of memories. xx
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Thank you, DOAC! I’m very happy that you loved it. 🙂 It’s been said that scent is the most powerful of all our senses. Those flashbacks must be universal. The best are the ones that take you completely by surprise, in unexpected places…taking you back to moments that can feel so real and far away at the same time.
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Hello,
I’ve nominated you for the Mystery Blogger Award
If yours is an award free blog you are certainly under no
obligation to act on the nomination.
Please accept the award with my compliments!
Rob Goldstein
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