Out in the wider world after such a long time

 

            Last Thursday, the small remnant of “girls” from Bryant’s class of 1954, ventured out for the first time in many months. Previously, we met at each others’ homes for breakfast, each person bringing an assigned food—casserole, fruit, bread, juice, etc. Our geographic boundaries reach from Vimy Ridge through Bryant, to Benton, Salem and Haskell—all in Saline County.

                At this time, however, we met at Denny’s, formerly Ruby Tuesday, in Bryant. I didn’t even know where it was until the one who planned it said “near Cracker Barrel.” The five of us were seated at the back of one aisle at a table long enough for comfort. We are either already 85 or very soon will be. One of us contracted cancer during our hiatus; she wore a striking blue cloche. Three of us wear hearing aids, but none use a cane or walker.

                Our breakfasts were huge, even the “55-and-older” menu. I had a 2-egg omelet, hash browns and toast. Waffles, red-skins (chopped potatoes) and crepes were others’ choices. And the coffee was STRONG. But the prices for that much food were reasonable, especially when Shirley whipped out her AARP card which the cashier used for all our tickets, giving us each a $2 rebate. The young woman said Denny’s had been in this place for a year or so.

                We agreed to meet in July at the same place. None of us looks forward to preparing our homes for an in-house visit as we did before. Not that we’re getting lazy; we get tired faster. (That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.)

                Last Friday, the writers group met at one member’s home. I’m the only one who belongs to both groups. One writer lives in Beebe, one in Little Rock, and the other two of us live in the Salem north of Benton. The hostess prepares snacks for our gathering-and-catching-up time, as well as goodie bags for us to take home and use. Then, we get down to the business of critiquing each others’ previously submitted (email) pieces.

                Three of us have published books and the other has a first novel ready to end. One is writing “Memories,” one submitted the last chapter of an inspirational book, and I sent the last half of an immersion essay titled, “You CAN Go Home Again” about this Depression-era house and as much history as I could find. It will go into my in-progress memoir.

                Even beginning at ten a. m. we rarely finish critiquing before one or one-thirty. Dot decided to forego lunch and drive back to Beebe. The other three went to downtown Benton to the new-to-me Baja Grill located in an old, old building that once housed the Palace Theater, then the Saline County library. I was stunned. Again, I had no idea of its existence, not having been out to eat for a long, long time.

                Again, the menu was far-ranging. I chose Baja Pork nachos. All three of us left with boxes full of what we couldn’t eat. In fact, I made two more meals from my delicious food. Again, the price was not exorbitant, even with a tip.

                The following day, Saturday, I again went into town to mail an envelope of entries to the Arizona Poetry Society’s current contest, then made a quick trip to the AT&T store to report a broken flip phone that needed to come off my account. Three days out in the real world again!!! And no masks. Wonderful.

c 2021, PL dba lovepat press, Benton AR USA