She took a part-time job at the university in her department, as an assistant to a masters student working on a thesis the diets of invasive species and their impact on the land and natural habitats of native species. It was then that she met the man who would later become her husband. She was sent out to find someone who might help her better understand the traditional and since modified-traditional/modern diets of Native Americans in the area.
He was a history major from El Paso, Texas - his family had lived next to an Indian reservation while he was growing up. By the age of 12, he was spending most of his free time hiking to his favorite secluded spots in the mountains. He carried his backpack full of worn paperback books that his uncle had handed down to him, dried apricots, and two bottles of pineapple Jarritos.
So they met. Their first date was supposed to be at a museum, but once they arrived, they realized it was closed. So, they went to a nearby Mexican restaurant that was painted pink and teal on the outside. There was no patio. She was surprised - and a little impressed - when he ordered dinner for the both of them in Spanish.
13 months, 2 weeks, 4 days later: she discovered that she was 8 weeks and 4 days pregnant. She didn't want kids. He did.
3 weeks of arguing and frustration, they both decided to drop out of school and work on building a home for their new family. They got married at the local justice of the peace. His family attended; her family had no idea of the marriage.
6 months after the marriage, she lost the baby. The doctor said it was stress-related. It took her a couple of weeks to tell him. He went into a deep depression for 8 years. They lived in the same house, but at opposite ends. They adopted a dog on their 10 year anniversary - this brought them together for a short time, but once she started taking over all of the dog's responsibilities, health issues, feedings, walkings, vet appointments, etc., he went back into a depression. The dog was all she wanted. She had no need for him.
The next 10 years were a blur. They spent the holidays apart. He would go home to his parents while she would entertain at their home. He was a professor of history at the local community college, but his time there was running short. He missed lectures. He missed teacher meetings. He failed to post grades on time at the semester's end.
She finally got the courage to tell him that they needed a divorce. They'd be better apart. He needed to gain his own independence once again. And she needed the freedom.
So here she is now. Shopping on her own. She likes ice cream. As a young girl growing up near the Southeast, she has a taste for good ice cream.
French Vanilla - not just vanilla, but French Vanilla. With a lower case f - perhaps a political statement, or perhaps just her style. French Vanilla ice cream means more eggs, and a richer flavor than traditional vanilla. Popular in Louisiana and other Southern areas.
The rest of her items are all capitalized. See this when individuals are dissociated with the English language due to outside stress. Or when they just don't know. I'm going with the former on this one.
Butter Pecan - another Southern favorite. Hands down delicious.
Carb Smart - early mid-age woman (40s) product
Miller Lt - Blt - Midwest girl faithful to AB, on a semi-diet
Plates - going to have people over, don't want them to judge my home or how I clean, and I don't want to have to clean after them
Lettuce - please help me with my new diet
Saltines - guilty pleasure that does not feel too guilty
Coffee - I don't trust anyone who doesn't drink coffee
Sasa Packets - no idea... looks like Salsa Packets
She wrote this on a purple post-it.
No comments:
Post a Comment