The Doctor, The Diner and Macey's
Tuesday 3rd February
We are up early - early for this family anyway, for at 9.00 am as Bev and Dickie have their annual check up at the doctor - the appointment is for 11.15 and it is a fifteen minute drive away. Dickie has been out and 'dug out' the car, shovelled snow from it, and turned the motor on, to warm it up for us. He is a gentleman, always thoughtful, and has a true respect for women. The doctor is an Asian woman who now treats all of their family, and the waiting room has restful music playing, and a large screen showing beautiful pictures around the world. People come and go as we wait for their turn, Bev goes in, and two white women arrive, shabbily dressed with unwashed hair, and clearly in the middle of an argument. They look the same age, but turns out, they are mother and daughter. For several minutes they shout loudly, and without a shred of embarrassment, at each other from opposite sides of the waiting room, beginning with the challenge "WHICH PART OF ‘NO’ DON'T YOU GET?" - the aggression spills over like molten liquid throughout that peaceful place, yet nobody says anything, eyes are politely averted, magazine pages are turned, the receptionist keeps receptioning. WOT? I think of how a room of people in Australia would handle such a situation, and I wait for someone to intervene - (a “Pull ya head in mate!” or similar comment) but nobody says a word. A deadly silence eventually descends - interrupted from time to time by a toxic volley from one to the other. I am relieved when we leave.
Dickie drives to the 'drug store' to get a special pill, and returns without it. "I ain' paying no forty four dollahs for one pill". $44 for one pill? I ask, what kind of pill? He responds "A gentleman's enhancement pill." Oh. He has learned he can get a months supply of another pill, free on trial, and decides that's his course of action. Bev tells me later, if she is 'in the mood' she tells him, and he takes four tablets. FOUR tablets? I say, "Won't he have an erection for days on end?" No, its cumulative. Oh.
I am now starving, and we drive to the Blue Bay Diner, parking next to the building in a Handicapped Zone, they have a sticker since Bev fell and broke her ankle. It is just like the movies, I feel I am on set and all I need is the make up girl with a powder puff. We pass a huge glass fridge full of cakes and cream trifles and there is a long bar with 1950's type swivel stools, plus comfortable booths straight from “Happy Days” which is where we sit, hanging our coats and scarves and hats on hooks attached to each one. The menu is vast, pages and pages, and from what I see being served, so are the portions. I look for a healthy option and settle on a spinach omelette with french fries. Hold the sauce, hold the bread, hold the butter. Bev has a cheese omelette served with a pile of sliced potatoes, onions, and more cheese, which I taste - its delicious, but there is enough here for three hungry large truck drivers. Mine, too, is delicious, I eat every Mosel, even the mound of french fries, and my cup of green tea is filled three times. Dickie has a pastrami sandwich (I’m delighted about this, Woody Allen movies always feature pastrami sandwiches!) - with mustard 'on the side' - and a bowl of coleslaw drowning in mayonnaise. Despite my announcement as we sat down that lunch was 'on me', Dickie flatly refuses my money, he and Beverly are stubborn and I know to insist will be futile, so I huge them tight and thank them.
As I type, I hear the sirens of New York's Finest shrieking past.
We head to the nearest Macey's, Bev has vouchers for an additional 20% off the sale price, and we head to the coat department. Within minutes, the three of us have a selection for consideration. Dickie is well trained in shopping, with an expert eye. I think how miserable Gerald would be doing this. I try them all on, and they both give considered opinions, Dickie is carrying the excess clothing we’ve had to remove (its freezing outside but like a sauna inside) and we settle on the perfect coat. Black, knee length, puffy and filled with duck down, its snug fitting with a faux fur lined hood, and deep pockets. It’s Calvin Klein, and reduced from $275 to $160, and with Bev's vouchers, I pay $143.50. I am delighted!
Next stop The Liquidators where Dickie's ring has been repaired, and I buy four bottles of Aussie wine for $7.50 each.
We head home through the snow and the yellow school buses, dropping kids off, blowing great clouds of condensation from their mouths as they descend the steps. Inside their cosy, welcoming home for more tea, and to type on this Ipad.
The door bell rings, and its Billy, come for 'a visit'. Do families spontaneously visit each other any more in Australia? I love this family. His huge bulk fills the small space and he sits at the head of the table, as his "Daddy" - I love it that this big man calls his father “Daddy” - dishes up a big plate of 'stu' - a delicious beef and vegetable concoction, with rice, and "Mom" brings him a jug of hot tea. I am sitting at the table with him, and without a hint of self consciousness, he closes his eyes, and quietly thanks God for this meal, this blessing, this family, this abundance. My eyes fill with tears at this simple, humble, gentle act. Finally we are all at the table and eating, and Billy is talking of his life, what happened to him when he had the stroke, the hospital, the fight for compensation, he has actually been given three and a half years, full pay - and ‘The Miracle' of his recovery. He is passionate about and works for 'The Struggle' - like his mother, he is an activist - and acts of injustice are fuel to his fire, yet he speaks with a soft, considered tone, respectful and thoughtful in manner, a gentle giant who is clearly a force to be reckoned with - the distinction of 'power vs force'. He talks of his community work here and in different cities, and of the difference committed people can make in the world, by taking action. We speak the same language, this man is inspiring and courageous.
He and Lorna have been introduced to The Landmark Forum through friends, I am a little confused as to the connection, for whilst this group are all Landmark graduates, they all belong to a particular church and they call each other "Prophet and Prophetess" yet appear to use the language and distinctions of Landmark. They have not yet attended a Landmark event, although I can hear they use some of the distinctions, through what they have learned with this group. They are eager to hear from me about Landmark and my experiences, and so I share, as I always do, passionately and generously, and tell the story of Gerald and I. I can see he is moved.
I like him very much, this is a man its easy to love, for his heart and mind are wide open. I can’t wait to see what he does when he gets to Landmark’s Self Expression and Leadership Program - and how many more amazing things he will create!
Its 11 pm and he must go, its a 2 hour drive home, and he calls Lorna to say he is on his way. Different hours for different folks, my eyeballs are falling out of my head, but Bev and Dickie are still watching TV at 1.30 am when I am get up to wee!