I once dreamt about living in a modern style loft above a coffee shop with the city at my fingertips. How silly of me to actually think Donavan would ever share that same dream. When his parents died, I really thought we’d try our luck in the big city, or at least Louisville. Instead, we moved into his parents run down home just down the street from the store. I didn’t want to sound insensitive at the time, but never in my wildest dreams did I think we’d still be here after 40 years. The devilish little house does have some class, I’ll give it that. The dark green shutters and white washed front porch are my favorite things about it. I love to sit on the bench swing during summer evenings, watching the neighbor children play. That squeak it makes is barely audible, but its rhythm is comforting.
I’d like to, but, I can’t blame Don
for my unhappiness. I have only myself to thank for that. I suppose I shouldn’t
say unhappiness, because I have lived a happy life; a comfortable one. Don is a
comfortable man. He has always provided more than enough for our family.
The
little food and beverage mart on the corner of Atlantis Ave and Kettle Street
is his pride and joy. The place belonged to his father at one time but it was
Don who made it what it is today. He spends the majority of his time there;
organizing displays, training employees, and ordering new products. Brownsboro
would be an even lonelier place if not for Daisy’s F&B. Even folks from
Crestwood drive an extra fifteen minutes just to buy groceries. He very rarely
losses his temper and he’s an exceptional spiritual leader as well. We are
heavily involved in our little church and those things I wouldn’t trade for the
world. It was just the other day at bible study when I was talking to Eloise that
she asked me why I’d been looking so down lately. She made a joke saying that
my wrinkles were multiplying due to my continuous frown. I knew she was right
and I was dying to talk to my best friend about my recent thoughts so we walked
down the street from the church to Rosie’s, the best coffee shop in town. “I
was straightening up the mess in the basement when I came across a list,” I said.
“A list of what Marlene? Why in the
world would a list of anything have you so depressed?” said Eloise.
“It was a list of things I want to
do before I die.”
“So, a bucket list?”
“Yeah, but it just got me thinking
about what I wanted to see and do in my life. Don’t you have a bucket list?”
“Yes, I suppose I do have one, but
I’ve long sense forgotten about it. There’s nothing on it I want to do alone.”
“What is on your list?”
“Oh, I don’t know I haven’t looked
at in years. What’s on yours?”
“I wanted to see the country.
Everything on my list are natural landmarks, like the grand canyon, and the
rocky mountains.”
“So why don’t you go see those
places?”
“You know why Eloise.”
