So Jenna walked in …
As I said in my earlier post, the laundromat was empty. I had clothes in the dryer by the time another patron came in.
She was stunning.
She seemed lost.
Scattered.
She approached the detergent dispensary by my table and asked, “This doesn’t take change?”
“No”, I told her “You have to use your card.”
And she got the detergent and then took her meager load of laundry to a machine. I didn’t think much of it after that – I was writing my post.
She came back.
Hair in a disheveled pony tail – no make up, still drop dead gorgeous.
“If someone went between your legs and took everything, and they’re not your boyfriend, is that wrong?”
I glanced up, was momentarily confused and shocked at such an out of nowhere comment and then, “Um, yeah, that’s wrong.”
Not even sure what she was talking about. But it sounded wrong. And the childlike, confused look on HER face, immediately engaged me.
This woman obviously needed to chat. This woman was also either on something, or had a mental issue. This woman was so beautiful and SO lost.
“What if someone makes you sell everything? What if someone puts cameras in your car?”
“Um, yeah – that doesn’t sound good either.”
“Yes! OK, that’s wrong.”
(How does she not know this?)
Other comments she made:
“People tell me I’m beautiful, but I’ve been hit so many times, it’s amazing I can even smile anymore.”
“This is a small town right? A lot of gossip?”
“I’m so broke.”
“I think I’m going to go into prostitution, this (as she directed attention to her face and body) is all I have.”
“I spent $5,000 on a broken tooth, that’s wrong, right?”
“I have no one to hold me at night – I need someone to take care of me.”
“I have panic attacks, you know, in that show, Modern Family, there’s this guy who freaks out over birds, that’s me!”
“You know, at our age (after she confirmed she was Sophia Vegara’s age – who is in her latter 30’s, so you know I appreciated being included in ‘that age’ when I wasn’t lol) our menstrual cycles change!”
By this time, I’d already invited her to my table.
My offerings?
“You ARE beautiful.”
“No, don’t do that.”
“You need to work on yourself, stay away from toxic people.”
“You get to decide who you want to be, let the right ones in.”
“Yeah! Yeah!” She said. “That’s what a police officer said to me.
“Do you think people with money want to hurt you? I don’t want a mansion.”
“Nah, I said, you don’t. Too much to clean.”
That got a laugh.
After dozens of disconnected questions and back and forth, I was now folding.
“Come here.” I said.
And held her. Her small arms wrapped around me and we were alone in that laundromat and something strange and purposeful was happening.
“I’m here every Sunday.” I said.
I wanted to give her my card – but there was a part of me that didn’t feel like I had the right advice for her.
Who am I?
Who am I to give advice?
But I think I was in the right place at the right time.
“My name is Jenna … and you are?”
“Amanda.”
“Amanda …. thank you.”
And at that moment, I knew she would be in my head.
She’s staying at a hotel. She doesn’t have a job. She used to model.
“Jenna, sometimes the rich are more miserable than you can imagine – those that have ‘enough’ usually don’t have ulterior motives, they are giving what they can from their heart. ”
“I have no one to hold me at night. I have no one to take care of me.”
“You have to take care of yourself. Learn to be alone. Learn to love yourSELF. Then you’ll attract the right people.”
“Yeah!”
Her childlike responses – her manic bouncing just endeared her to me.
Then I remembered, I wouldn’t be at the laundromat next Sunday.
And all I can think about right now is Jenna.
And how I should have given her my card.
She needs a friend. A healthy friend.
I wonder right now, what is she doing?
I almost want to show up next Sunday, no matter what. Get out of SELF and be a friend to someone who needs one.
I will try.
Because I think I need her as much as she needs a friend.
Musings from the Laundromat: Empty Rooms & Promises
“Where is everyone?”
“I know, it’s odd. You’re the first. I made coffee, I think it’s too strong.”
“Coffee can never be too strong.”
And I’m still the only one in the laundromat, it is delightfully quiet and calm.
It’s already been a busy morning – nice to have this reprieve.
Let me start at the beginning.
Friday, yours truly got a raise. I was shocked and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Oh, I STILL don’t have my car by the way – apparently the part, that is coming from New Hampshire, must be coming by carrier pigeon. A PCM is too heavy for a pigeon! Don’t they know that?
Yesterday my mom came over to collect myself and my honey to stay over at one of the local casinos and to see Pat Benatar in concert. My parents treat for us.
That woman can still sing. Not just sing, but she belted out all the favorites – nailing every one of them!
Her husband and guitarist Neil ‘Spyder’ Giraldo was just as amazing. Playing around with some Led Zeppelin licks in between songs. Getting the crowd pumped up.
His skills on the piano were just as great.
Other than laughing with those around us at drunk girl, who insisted on standing when NO ONE else was – of course, right in front of us see pic:
Anway, OTHER than that, my favorite part was the version they did of Promises in the Dark.
I’ll see if I can find it. Hang on.
There you go. And, coincidentally, she was wearing that exact outfit last night too.
I love that they threaded stories throughout the songs. I love the story behind Promises – it was the first song they actually wrote about their relationship.
When the lights came up, you could hear everyone agreeing that she still had her pipes and smiles were everywhere.
We headed in to find food.
Stood in a bonkers line for a burger and fries and headed up to the room.
Now, all this time, Butters was home alone. I waited until the last-minute to take her out before we left, and prayed she would ‘hold it’ like she is prone to do.
We got up at 6:30 this morning, threw clothes on and headed back to our pets.
Butters HAD held it – and was ecstatic to see us. Good girl!
So, after laundry, I’m up for a nap!
Here’s some view pics from our room.
Have a great Sunday everyone! I’ll be sipping my strong coffee and staring at an empty laundromat.
Musings from the Laundromat: The Color of Blue edition.
Today the outdoors smells like a forgotten load of damp clothes in a dryer.
Musty.
Dank.
Airless.
The ground smells so different that Butters has refused for two days to venture across it to her normal ‘potty’ spot. Adamantly halting on her leash and not crossing some invisible scent line.
The laundromat floor is peppered with termite wings – a common occurrence out here in the desert after we’ve been slammed with a storm.
Yesterday our power went out and we technology addicts sat, sometimes paced, until we found something to entertain ourselves with.
Me? I finally picked up a book my friend Betty loaned me long ago, back when I was reading at least a book per week.
‘The Color of Water’ by James McBride.
I made it half way through by the time the electricity returned, after my initial relief at the ‘WHOOSH’ of the A/C – I settled back to the book.
I’m feeling, ‘off’.
My color today and most of yesterday is blue.
No one reason in particular.
I think a combination of the stifling breezeless humidity, the fact that I still don’t have my car, and an aching mouth could be major players in this mood of mine.
I’m just out of sorts.
It was humbling to have my boss bring me home Friday after work.
I have such a stubborn streak, and hate to be dependent on anyone for basic things like food, transportation or money.
My son and fiance went grocery shopping Friday, and for some reason, I don’t feel comfortable eating the food. Which is ridiculous. We support each other.
I feel like a stranger right now, even to myself.
I drove to the laundromat in my son’s car, nothing feels the same. Off kilter.
I was glad to get lost in that book yesterday, because it took me out of myself and my own bad atmosphere.
I’ve just been so tired lately. Tired and worried about this and that. This funk – I must shake. And I will.
Almost smiled when I discovered half of my Friday lunch in my purse this morning – cucumber and cheese sandwich. Tucked into its little sandwich bag. I’ll have to remember to toss that.
Poor thing. All prepared and didn’t end up getting to serving its purpose.
Yes, I still feel for inanimate objects. Even when I’m blue.
Monsoon broken down
I get up. Make the chicken – and the scent of it draws Nic out of his lair, I’m not going to lie – this was after he said,” Taco Bell is closed.”
Me: I love the smell of rain.
Him: I think the smell of rain is caused by the drowning of bacteria.
Me: *sigh* pause.
Me: Also love the smell of fresh cut grass.
Him: The plants are sending out distress signals.
______________________
My son is a killjoy.
I mean, considering he came out of his cave at the scent of flesh … he burst my bubble on the whole rain thing.
It’s pouring now.
Much bacteria being drowned.
Oh but it smells SO good. Secrete! Secrete!
We are in for one hell of a monsoon this weekend.
T.G.I.F!
Today was bonkers – in a good way. If it’s bonkers, it means we’re busy at work. Which is always a very good thing in real estate.
But after staring at my computer screen, with my only break being cleaning the bathroom and collecting the trash – which, was a reprieve, I was done by 3:30 mentally, and completely grumpy – which, I owned.
At one point, one of the owners who was playing music asked “Everyone ok with this?” I’ll be honest. I always am. And, side note, I love everyone I work with – but to me, it was elevator music, and with my grumpy, I quipped without thinking, “I’m just waiting for the Macy’s girl to spritz me with perfume.” Which, got a laugh. And that was nice.
Car is still out of commission – it needs a new PCM. *sigh* $$$
Won’t be ready until middle-to-end of next week.
New PCM is coming from New Hampshire.
Then they have to ‘flash’ it. Poor PCM. I hope it isn’t traumatized.
The great thing is, my son has totally stepped up and taken me to work and picked me up. Reminded me of taking him to school, and that very rare one on one opportunity to just ‘hang’. We chatted, listened to the only music I introduced him to that he loves, Dave Matthews Band – and spent time together. I have cherished this. I have missed my kid. Yeah, my 20-year-old kid, but he’s mine none the less. I HAVE missed him.
So, maybe everything DOES happen for a reason.
Maybe we needed brief, quality time together.
So today, I had to find a ride home. First, it was “get off early, borrow my car and go grocery shopping.” Then I decided it has been a freaking long week and I would rather do anything less exhausting than going anywhere!
So, the men went shopping.
(Nic had to work and could not pick me up.)
This is NOT an accurate portrayal of how my men shop. I go to the store site, download coupons, and …. well, here.
My response:
So, I didn’t get that stuff, but our fridge holds sustainable items.
That’s all I care about.
I’m so into ‘enough’.
Enough.
Having what we need, not what we want.
Sometimes, you really don’t need what you want.
But, as thunder sounds around us, in surround sound – I’m feeling very appreciative of the desert. Hoping my car isn’t scared. (Yeah, I’m still into inanimate objects having feelings – she’s deserted! Wait – deserted in the desert … poetic)
Butters is curled around Jim’s feet, probably dreaming of the mini-lake that happens when it floods. She has such fun!
This was her last ‘pond’ in our yard:
Did I care that she was wet? Did I care that she brought mud in? Nope. She had a blast!
So … the week is over – and I’m hanging out with the man I love, who, by the way, made it through at the TOP of the survivor type blog. Thank you all who voted.
Get ready for next week.
And I hope everyone has an amazing weekend!
And Nic, thanks for taking me back to when we hung out and thank you for helping me get to work. And Jim, thank you for shopping today so I didn’t have to. Love you both So much!
Debauchery Soup 