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 Holly Winter Living The Life Of Holly Apr. 17, 2003 “Ok. I really need your help on this one.” Shelby said into the phone. “I’m here for you.” I said. We had just started brainstorming ways for her to get a new roommate when my phone started its latest habit. That little beeping sound. “Oh. Sorry. I have to go. Time to recharge.” I said. “What. Already? We haven’t even been talking for five minutes.” She argued. “Sorry. I will call you back in an hour. We should be good for ten minutes by then.” “Will you buy a …” She was cut off. I know. But. I don’t really understand how that stuff works. So. I did the logical thing. I took my portable telephone, dropped it into a plastic shopping bag, grabbed my car keys and drove to Ralph’s house. “Hey. Did you bring me a present?” He asked, looking into the bag. He took out the phone and understood immediately. “Come on” He said, gently. “Let’s go right now.” He took my arm and led me to the car. He knows how traumatic mechanical things are for me and understands how much help I need. We drove strait to Target. He impressed me by knowing what part of the store houses phone batteries. “I’m glad that you didn’t take the other battery out of the phone. That would have made it a lot tougher.” He said. “They come out?” I asked, half listening. He was holding various sized batteries up to the battery in my phone. He stopped a man walking by. “Do you think that this battery matches the one in this phone?” The customer stopped and helped. “I hate doing this too.” They compared batteries while I stood idly by, not at all insulted not to be consulted. This was my invisible realm. And my best friend knew it. “Hey. Let’s look at hammocks while we are here.” He said, convinced that my phone problems were solved. “Are you sure?” I asked, coming alive now that my errand was done. “Where do you think they are?” He asked, suddenly lost. “Come on, Ralph. You have only wanted a hammock for your patio for two years. I think that it is too soon. Don’t be rash. You are scaring me.” I said, leading him to the hammocks. We found the hammocks and hammock stands on the bottom shelf. “WHAT” He yelled, looking at the price. A sales lady came rushing over. “Sir, can I help you?” I shook my head. “No. Thanks. We are just shopping.” Ralph turned to her. He was fuming. “How could a little piece of fabric cost so much money?” The woman must have been new. She consulted the price. “Well. Sir. The hammock itself only costs..” I waved her away. “Really, thanks so much for your help. He needs some time alone now, please.” I said. Ralph and I are a lot alike. We need time to digest prices. He pulled out the boxes and looked at them. “I don’t know if I want to pay this much money for something when I am only home a few days a month.” “I know.” I said, sympathetically. “Why does it cost this much? It is just a hammock.” He mourned. “Ralph. It isn’t even what you want. This has a metal frame. You want a wooden frame to go with your nice wooden deck. This wouldn’t match at all.” “It’s too much.” He complained. “I know. You’re right.” I said. “And it isn’t even what you want.” I gently took him by the arm and led him to the front of the store. See. That’s why we are such good friends. We know how to help each other. About the author: Holly Winter is a teacher and a writer and a flight attendant living in Denver, Colorado, USA. She can be reached at her website or email: Holly@livingthelifeofholly.com ------------ Comment on this column in the forum. ------------ |
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