Husband and I went to a Democratic fundraiser in Brooklyn tonight, 400 people in an upscale catering hall in southeast Brooklyn, a big event attended by all the political names of the borough and many from beyond the boundaries as well. Husband is the executive director of a large community center in the vicinity and he is adept at targeting who to see, talk to and engage with in a very short period of time. I accompanied him in a nice dress and heels and was as surprised as I always am to locate our assigned table, look over the dinner selections, introduce myself around and then have Husband nudge me that he’s ready to leave.
This evening was unusual in that as I was strolling the cocktail hour while Husband chatted up his local councilman and vice versa, I heard my name called out. I looked around and saw a woman approaching me who I recognized immediately as a former, beloved neighbor. Susan O. was one of the first people I met in my neighborhood back in the late ’80’s after my ex-husband and I moved in with our kids. The second week of school, after Daughter reported that her fellow first-graders confused her socially, I was approached by a cotillion of women in the playground who would reveal themselves to be the mothers of those same youngsters and proceed to be just as socially confusing to me:
MOMS: Well, hello! Are you the mother of the new girl in the first grade?
OSV: Yes, I am! Hi! We moved here from Brooklyn over the summer. This is such a lovely neighborhood.
MOMS: It certainly is. Do you have any other children?
OSV: Yes, I have a son who’s three. I just enrolled him in nursery school.
MOMS: Which nursery school?
OSV: (giving name of school)
MOMS: (nodding approval) Yes, that’s a nice program. What kind of work does your husband do?
OSV: He’s a doctor with a practice in Brooklyn where we used to live.
MOMS: (smiling and more nodding) Isn’t that nice. You’re going to love living here. Everyone is so friendly. Do you happen to play Mah Jongg? We have a regular weekly game.
OSV: (cheerfully) You know, I have my mother’s set but I haven’t played in years. I remember how though. What night do you play?
MOMS: (exchanging glances) Oh, our game is full. But ask around. You’ll find a game that will fit you in. We’re so happy to have met you. And welcome to the neighborhood!
The Stepford Wives filed off and I stood in the playground, aware I’d been shot and but not yet clear about the damage. Then on that beautiful September day I heard a voice behind me. “Did I hear you say your son is three? My son is three, also. We live up the block from you. I’m Susan.” And on that day in 1987 I met a straight-shooter of my own who I would cheer with at little league games, exchange snide remarks with about the plastic moms, laugh with about our children’s adventures, and ultimately lose touch with as the earth continued on its measured spin.
Until this evening. Great to see you again, Sue. We’ll keep in touch.
It just started to rain after threatening to for days. So we’ll make water the theme for Daughter’s Featured Fotos
rainy day subway
Hoover Dam, Nevada
the sky opens up in New Orleans
frozen footprint