The first thing Ramona does when we enter the shop in the morning is check the phone messages. Today there was a familiar name on there, but I couldn't place it. When Ramona called him back to ask him what he was looking for, he told her he wanted to be the father of Indiana Jones. She told him to bring a picture, and we would fix him up.
At the time he came in, she was busy with another customer, so it fell to me to find him the right garments to make up his costume. While he was trying on jackets, he asked me if we costumed for theaters, and I said, "Yes," and then he asked if Round Rock still had its "little theater." I told him that the Sam Bass Theater was still up and running. He explained he used to know a person who was very active up there. I asked him who, and he said, "Jim Prior."
That hit me like a brick.
No wonder his name had sounded familiar--he had been Jim's boss for a long time, before Jim started teaching. For years, I had been hearing about this man, his work, his family and his legendary martinis.
It was difficult to tell him about Jim. In a way, it was like meeting an old friend that I just didn't know, yet.
Strange.
Good morning, Ronni. That might be the first of many such moments for you. Jim must have left the man with fond memories and vice-versa.
ReplyDeleteA bit of a shock for the poor fellow.
One of the things I remember after my father's death was the random phone calls that came for about three years or so.
ReplyDeleteI was always taken off guard when an old friend of my father's would call the house looking for him and I'd have to give them the sad news.
I always hated that as it would catapult me right back into the middle of my sorrow. And, as Mgt said, shock the unsuspecting caller.
Two years after dad's death, I still have reminders. Since I no longer live in the city dad did, not as much personal contact.
ReplyDeleteThe junk mail still comes in his name. I finally managed to get him off the solicitation list for pre-approved credit cards. Now here's an eye opener it's only for five years, even though I told them he is dead. There is no database in the corporate credit world that identify the deceased.
Unbelievable! I could take out a credit card, insurance, all kinds of ID theft off a dead man.
I'm proud you didn't start smoking again. Sorry to say, I failed during a couple of crises over the years.
You sound better and I'm happy to see it!
It's odd. I go along, and sometimes for hours at a stretch, I don't think about it. Then, something happens, like the incident yesterday at the shop, and it washes over me like a wave, and almost knocks me down.
ReplyDeleteI heard a song from one of Jim's favourite movies today on the radio. I cried all the way to work.
Havng had a nephew who committed suicide at the age of 29, I think the best policy is a public announcement in the obits about the pain he could not tolerate and etc. At the time it happens no one has the presence of mind to wonder or worry about who has not been informed. Anytime, you can insert an announcement of his demise in whatever terms you choose. The Tejas Retta was shocked that she had not read anything about him as to being a newpaper fiend as I am and my father and mother, her mentors were. She as well was caught off guard when her ex-first did it with 2 children. She had the guilt for howmany years of her daughter blaming her for that loss.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you my dahling. Quite frankly, I would have started smocking again. You know what I mean. xxoomoidelirious with a virus. poop.
It costs $70 to run an obituary in the Statesman. I couldn't afford it.
ReplyDeleteCrap. I'm getting phone calls about my mother's business, since I"m handling the "estate" and letters, too, and it's not easy. I can't imagine a face to face like that for you.
ReplyDeleteDoes it help to talk and explain or is it really awful? Maybe we should print up some little calling cards you can hand out....
PS you can run a 5 line (of that ilk, don't quote me) announcement in the statesman for free!!! Hill Country news is also free.