Conversations with people who are intentional and clear-minded are so beautiful. My friend Rod is visiting me. He’s in town for a pharmaceutical conference, but I had to chase him down. He was my first friend at UNC. I sat in a seat behind him and listened to him talk about cursing someone out on the bus. Neither of us remember why he did it, but I’m sure they deserved it. That same vibe has continued with us throughout our lives. Him more muted because, as a Black Man in America, he’s fearful of Repercussions. I’m more loud because, as an Asian Woman in America, Nobody Care.
But we are catdog. I chase the point and Rod says, “It’s not that serious.” The curator’s cat, who I babysit occasionally, is warmed by us. It sits between us and sleeps and listens and watches. And when I look at him, I get that instinctual feeling and I turn on the music loud.
The shared experience is fun. I’ve been sharing a lot of experiences with a lot of people recently. And all those experiences have been very enlightening. I think in a time where it’s so easy to be “connected” by social media, we’re actually pretty disconnected. Hella people trying to fake it, hella people trying to be cool, hella people trying to derail important conversations. I’ll tell you now. You may beat the spirit of speaking up out of some bodies, but other bodies will be there to protect them and their integrity.
Rod and I secured some bags today by being the beautiful interracial pairing we are. When we walk around together, white people shout out windows, “You two are really cute!” and I wrap my arm around him and say, “Thanks! I know!” He blushes, brushes it off, then basks in the warmth.
We’ve been friends for almost eight years. We’ve seen each other grow from introverted dweebs to self-confident bitches. We see each other’s value and when we speak with each other, it’s with a billion intricacies and details nobody, but us, could ever discern. When we listen to a song, we feel the same thing. And when we doubt ourselves, the other person is there to say, “Not today fam.” When we lose ourselves, the other person is there to say, “Your car’s over there.”
I’ve learned to be pretty intentional with my words, but there are things I still need to work on. Things like, calming down; not getting lost; waiting. The people I’ve surrounded myself with all contribute positive attributes to my life and personality. I wink more, chuckle more, stick out my tongue more. But sometimes I need to draw back and my friends are there to help me. They know I am a cat and I will get scrappy.
Rod had a flight to catch tonight and decided to extend his trip a few more days. I got a bed from Queen on Monday, so now my mans can lay on my Japanese set and maybe dream about the first time he took a trip abroad. He’s napping on my bed right now. I don’t get that about men. How do you pass out anywhere? I can’t rest well if my pillowcase is slightly askew, but, then again, I have been sleeping on the floor for a year and a half… and this mattress, which we threw over a balcony, without a bedsheet on it…
So…
I guess it’s the balance that makes life…
FUN.
A STOR¥ BY ? 