Admit You’re Lost – Never

No sign of the created character. I’m not blogging today. It’s a Riverwalk, iced tea, chips and salsa kind of day.  Until …

“Hey, Ray. Where we going?”

“We?” I said. “I’m going to the Riverwalk. I need to get off the world, relax, and have some down time. Alone. Did you hear the last word?”

“Word?”

“I’m going to the Riverwalk. I’m going to sit at one of the outside tables with the colorful umbrellas. I’m going to listen to mariachi and I’m going to order iced tea. The chips and salsa are complimentary. And, I’m going to people watch. I’m looking for a character to replace you.”

“Good luck with the last part. I’ve been thinking of my name. I’ll give you a hint, it starts with P.”

I roll my eyes, “Yes and P rhymes with T and T stands for TROUBLE. Since when do characters name themselves. That’s the creator’s job.”

“I’ve not seen that in writing, Ray. You show it to me and I’ll back off.”

“Well,” I said, “It’s not in writing. It’s a writing tradition. Once something is a tradition, you can’t break it.”

“Even more reason to break it, smash it, stomp on it, put it through the shredder. Let’s start a new tradition. And, BTW, when we go to the Riverwalk, I want a margarita and a nacho appetizer. Let’s make the dough flow. That will be our new tradition.”

“I don’t think so. And, what’s your purpose for going with me? I, at least, have a reason, to replace you.”

“Again, good luck with that. I’m going because I have to unwind. Taking care of you is a full-time job. I know no other character who has such a back breaking, emotionally handwringing job. Working with you is like riding a roller coaster all day long.”

“Give me a break. I’m easy going. Lot’s of fun. Happy go lucky. I go with the flow.”

“Who wrote that line for you, your publicist?”

“If I knew how to make a margarita, I’d give it to you now to keep you quiet.”

“Before we leave, do you mind writing in that I’m carrying my expensive, handstitched Italian-made dark brown leather handbag?”

I roll my eyes. The car door opens, P sits next to me. She flips the mirror on the visor down, checks her makeup.”

“Do you mind staying home? I need some space. I need to clear my head. My readers will think I am going over the edge with you as an everyday character.”

“Will think? Really, Ray. We all know you need help. We’re all here for you.”

“Where did I hear that line before?”

“You sure you know the way to downtown? Shouldn’t we get Uber?”

“I don’t need to, P. I know the way like I know the back of my hand.”

“We’ve been down this road before, Ray. It’s not a pretty road. Tell the little boy it’s okay to ask Siri for directions or to call Uber.”

“No can do.”

“Why is your left turn signal on?”

“To make a left turn.”

” I think you need to make a right turn to go to downtown.”

“I know a shortcut.”

“What are you doing now?”

“I’m circling the block. I’m making sure no one is tailing us. I’m reading a spy thriller and every good agent always checks to see is there is a tail.”

“Reality check, Ray. You are not an agent. And, thanks for making the turn toward downtown.”

“What are you doing now? I’m looking for tall buildings, they are a sign of downtown.”

“You’re lost. Admit it.”

“Am not.”

“Pull off at the next exit and plug in Siri or Google maps.”

“Don’t need to. The big building will be just over the horizon.”

“We’ve been driving for an hour, downtown is only twenty minutes away. When are you going to admit you’re lost? I want my nachos and margarita.”

“I’m not lost. I’m driving in circles, each one smaller than the previous one, this way I’ll get to downtown. What are you doing?”

“I’m asking Siri for directions.”

“Nooooooooo. My guy friends will laugh at me.”

Accepting each other for who the other person is without trying to remake them into something different is the glue that builds a great relationship. I am who I am and I like me the way I am. I hope you can say the same about yourself.