...she’d said “That’s alright, I’ve got you recorded” 22:58 Aug 27 2016
Times Read: 428
2015 was the first year I’d not been able to do any kind of voluntary work. It’s a bit difficult doing meals at a church door when you have problems standing.
Anyway, things got worse and now I can say, “You know when you’re ill, when it’s easy to get PiP.” And yes, it’s a joke at my expense. But…
Since the decision went my way and, then I got worse, I ended up with more money that I’m used to or, Need. So, I do as I do… when I can…
For instance… The day I picked up the initial pack payment I’d gone travelling and, ended up donating the contents of a wallet to a Christian Radio Station. Then I had been at Azda in Birkenhead the other day searching for one or two things I’d wanted. The store had been busy and eventually I’d found a place in a queue behind a young Mother, with her son sitting in the trolley before her.
He’d been all smiles and giggles and she’d been attentive and watching them play I’d been reminded of my own Mother.
At one point she’d noticed how little I had and told me to take her place, which was next in the queue. And her action had poleaxed me, because as I’d said to her, “That’s the second time in about a week that a woman has shown me a kindness…”
Then as I went through the till I’d give the young man serving me twenty pound more than needed and said to him, “Will you pay for her groceries please?”
When he’d made to give me my change, I’d shaken my head. Thinking maybe what I’d given might not be enough…
And, it had been on my way home when I’d told my taxi driver about the surprised look on the face of the young man on the till as I’d done as I’d done that he reminded me that the young woman would probably remember what I’d done for the rest of her life… Well, I wouldn’t quite go that far – I’d thought at the time… But it is nice to think she might recall me well… I’d like that…
And…
Life is strange at the best of times. But, sometimes it seems to set out to surpass itself. So it was the other day.
A series of accidents at home led to me helping clean up a couple of times and, that had led to me missing the bus I’d intended to get. Eventually I had got out, but at such a time that I’d been between buses.
Well as it was a sunny day and, there was rubbish in my right pocket to bin on the way, I had not minded being early for my bus; besides which the light breeze had felt very pleasant on my flesh…
So I’d made my way round the block, deposited my rubbish, then found a convenient wall to sit on so I had been facing the traffic, with greenery around me.
Rooting in my bag at my feet, I’d raised my head, just as a small silver car passed me. Its driver had been Amanda, the young lady who’d called late at night and, most certainly hadn’t been a fright.
It had taken a second or so for me to realise who it was, as she waved. And, I do recall her annoyance, when she maintained I’d ignored her on a previous occasion.
Either way, I’d not long to wait for my bus and, my next incidence of personal strangeness…
Needless to say, as there’d been someone also waiting, I’d got talking; knowing full well that my bus would soon arrive, as I’d been enjoying my smoke…
As I’d spoken, I had told the lady with a book open. She lifted her head from it to look for the bus and say to me, “Well, sometime Fate does take over.”
And as the day had gone as it had, to lead to the point where Amanda had passed by, just as I’d looked up, I couldn’t help but agree with her.
I’d got the bus to Azda, where I’d got off to do the little bit of shopping I’d intended. So, after a brief smoke and drink I’d made my way inside and headed straight for the toilets, as my bladder was being insistent.
On my way though the throng of customers with the tills on my right, a young woman had walked toward me and, it this time I’d quickly realised who it had been, Paula the young woman I’d taken such a liking to and, then went weird on me… which I’d put down to a mutual acquaintance of ours, putting his oar in.
This time I’d treated her as she had me, blanking her, as quickly as I knew who it was. It had been a decision made on the spot, but it seemed worth it, judging by her expression as I passed by. There’d been initial recognition, then a look that suggested something else entirely… disappointment, or annoyance perhaps?
In either case, it hadn’t mattered to me, as I’d a mission to complete – find the toilet.
Well, finally shopping had been done as, as the state pay for it and, I figure I warrant it on most days, I got a taxi home.
On the way home I noticed a young lady I’ve noticed many times around my home area and said to the driver, “Today I’ve managed to see all three young ladies I’ve admired for ages…”
It had been when I sat down for five minutes, before starting Dad’s tea, that a thought had occurred to me: if I’d not been late for the bus I’d originally wanted, none of the rest could have happened.
Perhaps the lady at the busstop had been right, “Sometime Fate does take over.”
And… The Fodmap diet I’m following precludes any sort of variety; and I’m not a picky eater as such: just that diverticulosis and gastritis preclude me eating as I would like. And, when you begin to associate food with pain, it's time to worry time. So, I’m glad that the diet had a positive result on some of the symptom’s associated with that particular complaint. That’s why I’m keeping up with the diet itself. Although, it is harsh… That said, with all my experience of cooking over the years, I do still enjoy it, even if the only one I cook for now is Dad and, myself on occasion. Anyway… Hasn’t the weather been somewhat’ interesting of late… a summers day, a stormy night, with humid evenings and, sometimes all in the one day… And… I did hear, or should I say, I saw Amanda again. This time she’d knocked at 12:30 – so, earlier than previously and, she was sober, although she’d brought a small bottle of white wine with her… and, we’d talked… which I’d liked a lot. What had seemed strange – besides all that I’ve known of her, she had told me that at fourteen, she’d met me outside the Post Office, then Maynards. She had even recalled me saying to her that “You walk fast, don’t you?” And grant you, we had kissed, a few times… yet I had liked it that we’d talked. Besides which, it had made the ‘good morning’ kiss, prior to seeing her home, all the more pleasant… knowing she’d be home safe and sober – ish.
And boy, talk of surprises… Dad and I had been out in the back garden, doing as we do, when the phone had rung. I’d dashed to answer it and, returned to Dad even more ashen usual and had said to him, “That was Ian [my brother] his Lesley [missus] has died.” Now, I’d been weeding till the phone had rung, so had been having a good day, so that phonecall had really thrown me, goodstyle… and here’s the rub for me, like Barry, she had been round about my age. Yet, what makes it most unfair is that she and Ian had just got a home together on the promenade in Devon… and seemed content... If nothing else, her death illustrates to me, that any of us can go at any time… just like Barry. I do wish I’d get to see the pancreas team, soon…
Anyway… The weathers changed again… and, on Thursday after housework, I’d looked out the front winder and the tree in the verge outside my home. There in the tree had been many small bluetits, flitting from branch to branch, within the tree. Now, not only have not seen any small birds of any kind; except for the occasional sparrow, but there’s also been a veritable dearth of blackbirds and starlings… So, seeing these birds, acting much as I’ve seen them do on Bromborough station was well cool. Again on Thursday, I’d been seeing Alex out after a visit prior to me making the tea and, as I did, there across the road was Amanda. She waved and I’d returned it, smiling. I’d then talked of her, pointedly, even making a remark of her blushing, which had garnered me a smile and, a smile with the turn of her head.
Then on Saturday I went out for the Radio Times, which had been in the cupboard and, which my Father wanted and couldn’t find. I’d got ready in my own time, as find I need to now. I’d made my way up the road, calling in at the Merebrook for a quick whiskey. I have to buy a malt now, as blended whiskey contains wheat and, recent test tell me that I can’t do wheat any longer. So a malt had been consumed, quickly and the mission continued… It was as I stood at the counter discussing Doctor Who Comic dash magazine, that I’d been aware of a Goth type Emo in polka dot dress was kinda watchin me. I’d left the shop and met the young lady who knew me; as it transpired, having talked with me several times in the past. Her name had been Siobhan and she had seemed as pleased to see me, as I had been pleased that someone seemed pleased to see me… As I’d given her my contact details, she’d said “That’s alright, I’ve got you recorded” which had moderately freaked me out.
“It’s the digital age,” she’d explained and, I’d left it at that, as I’d still a mission to finish… acquire cream for my soup…
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