July 14, 2004

souvenir means memory

Iam the proudowner ofa souvenirashtray. Proudstealer, Isuppose. But, hey,it's advertising forthe hotel, right? Why, youask? As wetalked lastnight, Liselot twirled thisparticular ashtray. As shetalks, her handsmustplay. The accoutrements of smoking areherfavorite toys. Besides me, that is. Aswe talkedabout her childhood outside of Dijon (yes, she is a fine Burgundy) her lefthand spun the ashtry counterclockwise. When shetalksabout emotionallydifficult incidents (drunkenmom, cruel highschoolgirls) the pace of the ashtrayslows toacrawl, her beautiful finger tips walk ing the rim care ful ly. When she's talksabout elated times (coming to Paris for University, travels in Tunisia) her wholehand gives thething a spin, spin, spin and the ashtray wanders the table between our wineglasses, traversing napkins and skipping straws. The whirling ashtray (dumping the longtime slug boyfriend, comingto theStates for the job we're on) at the height of happiness even surfed a long tablepuddle of icewater condensation andmade a plunge for the tableedge! She held the ashtray tight as she said: "Allen, youact like your littlefriends are coachingyou whattosay tome. Only relax!" Well, my littlefriends, I amplunging for the tableedgemyself. Wemeet for dinneragain tonight and Ihave a tingly feeling about it. Herromm or myroom? Hmmm. Betterget my socksoffthefloor. Posted by allen at July 14, 2004 05:20 PM