Somedays everything goes right–Today was not one of them. The day started out fine enough. The perfect cup of coffee. My oatmeal found the perfect place between too soupy too thick. And, my blueberries were sweet with a hint of tartness. I looked out the window, the sun was shining, the sky blue without a trace of clouds, and the birds darting in and out of the birdfeeder as if they were guided by air traffic control at O’Hara Airport.
And then, “Ray? Got a moment?”
The voice. A voice that has been haunting me for the past couple of weeks. It was Z uh or whatever her name was today. I was trapped. I had no place to hide. She was standing in the doorframe smiling holding a large clear coffee cup, filled with black gold. Black gold I made for myself. I can already feel my lack of caffeine heading toward a monster headache.
“Yes, Z uh?”
“It’s Me Lu, I think the name gives me an intriguing personality.”
“Oh, it does something for your personality, that’s for sure.”
“BTW, thanks for making coffee for me this morning.”
At that moment, it struck, right above the right eye. My right eye felt like it was the size of a bowling ball. I was heading toward the mother of all caffeine withdrawal headaches.
“Something wrong, Ray?”
“Where do I begin?” I said.
“How about beginning by listening to what I have to say.”
“Have a seat My Shoe. Like the old Frasier show, ‘I’m listening.’”
“It’s Me Lu. Do you think you should have your ears checked for wax plugs?”“My hearing is fine.”
“My hearing is fine.”
“I was online this morning. And, I found something very interesting.”
I raised my eyebrows, hope in my heart Me Lu might be thinking of moving on. I said, “A new boyfriend? A new alt ego dating site? A new place to go with your friend from the mystery writers blog?”
“Wrong on all three. There is a cleanup on the River today. I thought you and I could go and pitch in.”
“Why don’t you and your friend from the mystery writer’s blog, whom, by the way, I’ve never met, go. I’m busy with my blog.”
How are you going to meet people if you don’t get involved? The closest you get to getting involved is waving to neighbors when you take the trash out.”
“I wouldn’t have to do that if you picked up your share of the load around here.”
“Too late, Ray. I already signed you up. I knew you would agree. It’ll be fun.”
“What are you doing? Leave that alone. I didn’t save my work. That’s just not right.”
“It’s the only way it could get you away from your computer. If what you were writing was like the rest of your blogs …”
We are a community people. As a community people, we can work together to build a stronger, sustainable, healthy community. Whatever our gift is, we can contribute it to our community through our involvement. I will take Me Lu’s advice and get involved. I will be doing something meaningful to benefit those who live in my community and me as well.