OK Now...
It's been about a week now since I've been back and I've had a lot of time to think and reflect on my visit to New York, and I keep going back to one thing only: I am a LUCKY woman! Finally John McGregor made his appearance (on Sunday I think?) and the first night we sat on Marie's stoop talking until 3.30 in the morning. The two giant trees, elm I think, canopied us and seemed even to crown us. We managed to talk about Fern (his old elementary school sweetheart), the meaning of love (putting someone else before yourself) and the New Adventures of John McGregor, my own Don Quixote.
Next day was Monday, the day before Kai and I returned to Copenhagen. Brooke from McNally Robinson had agreed to carry a couple of copies of The Organist's Daughter, so I needed to run down there with one more copy and of course, to meet him. Big thanks to Clemenza Hawkins, a truly inspired artist and friend who recommended the hook-up and made it happen. Thanks Clemenza! Just talking about Clemenza makes me a bit misty because she has an apartment at Marie's and she, along with Marie, Debbie and Karen were constants in Kai and my world while in NYC. It was amazing to just sit in the living room and have any one of them come and sit a spell with us. No wonder Kai didn't ever really want to leave the house...
So John met me downtown at this magnificient bookstore. I met Brook, who happened to be getting off his shift for the day and we all decided to have lunch together. The first place we thought was L'Orange Bleu but that was not open yet. There's a history there: L'Orange was where we often hung out when I worked with Marie and it was there I had my going away party before my Paris trip, which was the precursor to the Copenhagen trip...wow! the memories!
Around the Clock was mentioned. I hadn't been there in AGES and would have just gone there just for the heck of it. Remember, this was the only day in two weeks I actually got to go downtown as Lesley-Ann, as opposed to Mommy. Kai stayed home with his Grandma Beryl...
But then John says, I know this great restaurant...wanna go? Brook and I gave each other one of those stares...like, dare we? We decided to, unconsciously knowing that John knows his stuff, but having to give him shit for it. And then the walk begins. Every so often we'd be like, "are we there yet?" And John would answer, two more blocks...yeah right.
The great thing is that I got to walk through the East Village. That was my old college stomping ground. In those days we hung out in dives, shot pool and my male friends got in fights. Don't ask. We drank shots, smoked way too many cigarettes and was arrogant enough to feel that we were the only ones youth would ever happen to. Those were the days!
We finally get there and John came through yet again. Clinton Street Baking Company and Restaurant is a fine example of what New York City does best: Food. I ordered the spicy shrimp with cheese grits and fried green tomatoes. I kid you not--it was the best.
We returned to Marie's and ended up having the best send-off get-together I could have wished for. First of all, Karen called to tell me that she was very tired and probably couldn't make it. I was so disappointed...Kai as well--He loves her and thinks she is great (she is!) But anyway, John was there, Rayner showed up, Brook whom I had just met earlier that day, Bankole, tJade, Patrik H. Bass, my mom, Clemenza, Debbie...am I missing anyone? It was a beautiful evening and Kai was in heaven when Karen showed up. They took a picture together and when he looked at the picture, he was like, "Wow! She's a REAL chocolate girl!"
I really have to take a moment right now to thank all of you who showed up that evening. It was the best send-off and I really needed it. There was magic that evening, and it could not have happened without each of you:
Brook--Taste-Master B, it was GREAT to meet you and we will meet again!
Debbie--I am so PROUD of you. You do what true friends are for: You INSPIRE me to be a better person.
Clemenza--You are so talented and such a gifted soul, I can't wait till you come to visit...
tJade--You are a ROCK. And you know that.
Rayner--I'll call you (smile)
Bankole--the after party was the bomb...let's keep in touch! Please, and I have some projects to talk to you about...
Karen--The day we met was like that day Tony saw Marie in West Side Story. Womyn, you are an inspiration and a blessing.
Patrik--I'm proud to be the only womyn (or am I? he he)I am VERY proud of you!
John--Thanks for the time John, you were like my NYC Angel...
Mom--You are always there for me when you can be. Thanks. I don't take that for granted.
& REE REE-- Where will I be without you? How lucky are we all to have you? John McGregor said it best, "I really love that womyn!"
Now back to Copenhagen. I ran into someone yesterday at the supermarket. A vague acquaintance. She asked me if I still read literature...Well, yes, I do. I try to anyway. Have I ever read the book Black Like Me? I immediately get excited, no, but I love Black books.
"Oh no", she assures me, "This is not a book written by a black person. This is a book written by a white person in the 50s who pretends to be black to experience how it feels to be black. He was so impressed at how the Blacks took care of each other..."
I stared blankly at her. I guess taking a black person's word for it, ie. our experiences, would be too out of the box for our society. I guess that's why it is necessary for white folks to don black faces, because Lord only knows, we have never talked or written about the Black experience before. So why take our word for it?
And people wonder at our frustrations...
Peace and Love,
Lesley-Ann
