Prompt From: Stories from the Jukebox
Prompt by: Maple Mixtape 🇨🇦.
Prompt #29: Back to Square One by Ian Thomas
In 1978 I was at the University of Waterloo living in the dorm. Ian Thomas’ cousin lived on my floor. When Ian played in the Kitchener Waterloo area we would go to watch the show. Before, between and after the sets Ian would join us for a beer and share stories. He was as funny as his brother Dave Thomas (SCTV, Grace Under Fire, Bob and Doug McKenzie, Bones, among others). I wish I could remember the discussions.
Live, his band was tight and sounded exactly like what he put down on the albums. Many of his songs have been covered by other artists. Santana and America are two of the artists who come to my mind.
He tours Southern Ontario regularly now both solo and with a group of other musicians titled, Lunch At Allen’s.
Sarah Penney (@sarahspcreates) | Unsplash Photo Community
“Hair looks good,” she muttered as she fluffed it a bit. “Is this dress the right dress?” she wondered. “What am I trying to say here?” She looked in the mirror more carefully at herself.
Annie shook her head. “This is a mistake. Why did I agree to this?” she grimaced uncomfortably. “Out of nowhere he phones after all these years. It’s not a date,” she stated firmly. “It’s not a date. We are just meeting as old friends.” As she walked away from the mirror she shook her head. “High school romances should stay in high school.”
She sighed as she picked up her coat and put it on. “Forty years,” she exclaimed, “forty years since we last talked. We drift apart for no particular reason. No one thing to blame, just our interests going in different directions.”
She stooped to put on her shoes. “Well let’s get this over with,” she said with a touch of indignation as she closed the door.
As she walked through the door of the restaurant she noticed a head bob up and eyes flash in recognition. “Slightly rotund. Balding quite a bit. Glasses that don’t fit his face,” she noticed.
He rose as she approached the table. “Annie,” he said with some enthusiasm. “Thank you for joining me for dinner. You look much better than I remember.”
“And you still say the nicest things.”
As she removed her coat Paul held out her chair for her. She looked at it and him with a frown. “Thank you but I can seat myself.”
“Same old Annie. Your frown is still lovelier than most people’s smiles,” he said as he left her chair and moved around to his, standing while he waited for her to seat herself.
“That’s new,” she thought before laughing gently. “Pleasantries are out of the way. Why did you call me and ask me to dinner?”
“Besides the opportunity to spend some time with one of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure to know?” he paused to face the fact that this discussion was more direct than he would like.
The waiter had started to approach the table but from looking at them and hearing the last bit of discussion he veered to another customer.
“We grew up in different times. When we were together there were things said and done that I now find insulting towards women and you in particular. I wanted to take the time to meet with you and apologize for being who I was.”
She smiled as she signaled the waiter. “I will have a pinot grigio.”
“And you sir.”
“Make that two.”
“Excellent,” the waiter said as he walked away.
Annie looked at Paul. “While your apology is kind and gracious it is unnecessary. As you said they were different times. I am happy that you acknowledge how it was wrong. What made you change your thoughts?”
Paul squirmed a bit in his seat. “I have three daughters and granddaughters.”
“Ah.”
“I have watched them grow. I encouraged them every step of the way to be who they wanted to be and do what they wanted to do. I started listening to comments that surrounded them. comments and actions taken within my earshot. It became clear that something had to change. That change started with me. I had to pull myself back to square one and examine and reexamine who I was and what I wanted and wanted for them. That was the day I started to get it right. I am hoping to get it all right someday.”
Annie reached out a hand. “‘You have to live with yourself and so you have to be fit for yourself to know.’ I heard this said the other day. It seems rather apt for this situation. I’m glad you were able to break through.” She looked at her hand as she removed it. “It’s funny after all these years old habits return.”
“Once it was rocking chairs and summer fairs, and swimming in the sea.” he smiled as their wine arrived. “We wanted to make moments last.”
“Young love,” she reflected. “That paradise was lost forever to the pages of history.”
“Yet here we sit.”
Annie looked at this balding, slightly portly, near sighted man. “Time might be the keeper but we both have moved on to other things in our lives. We have walked paths, had great loves, discovered the joys of parenthood and lived life in a million other ways we never anticipated.” She rose from her chair. ”I thank you for the company tonight. I am impressed that you have taken the time to improve your life and apologize for all those things that men did and many still do. It places you a step above them.”
“You’re leaving?” he said as he rose from his seat.
Annie reached down and picked her wine glass downing the rest of it. “Yes, I am leaving. We have our memories. It’s nice seeing you but I have to go.” She turned and walked to the door.
“Good night Mrs Calabash.”
Annie turned as she reached the door. “You remembered.” She paused. “We both have things we hang on to from then. But I have moved on past those in my life. They are now just memories. I wish for them to stay where they are. Enjoy the rest of your life Paul,” she said as she turned and walked out the door.
A recommended Ian Thomas playlist
1. Painted Ladies
2. Long, Long Way
4. Liars
5. Right Before Your Eyes
6. Goodnight Mrs. Calabash
7. Coming Home
9. Pilot
11. Time is the Keeper
12. Hold On
I see a little of myself in Paul... love the intro too Bill!