Bachelorette- The Last Escapade- Before

This past week, we have had intense summer heat- yes intense! But I am not complaining- at least this summer, unlike last year’s; we are having temperatures that belong to summer. But today, Saturday, the pressure built in the sky and it rained a glorious shower, straight- pouring raindrops fell upon the street outside my windows dancing up and down on the pavement and blacktop. Poor neighbor Gail, across the street was having her annual garage sale; luckily, she had tents up to protect her merchandise, but I doubt they did much good.

There’s something about a summer shower, when you’re tucked inside watching from your window that lifts your spirits- mine at least. I sit, with Sonny, on my window seat. He glances at me whenever he hears the crackle of thunder. James Taylor plays on a CD in my kitchen. I just finished exercising and when it started to pour, I did something I haven’t done since I was a kid. I ran out the sliders to my backyard and danced in the rain. It was less than a minute, but enough time to wash away the residue of a particularly bad week I had at work that began with witnessing a man getting CPR at the 34^th Street station of the “2” train on Tuesday morning. That sight haunted me until Friday.

The red tape put up by the police.

The EMT crew working on him, the sound of the paddles as they made their final attempts.

The vision of his bare chest as he lay on the hard subway platform, his grey hair, his shoes and socks- lying there sprawled and lifeless.

The people watching while other people tried not to watch.

One thing I am sure of, we all had a sense of our own mortality that morning. After a long Fourth of July celebration weekend, we were all brought down to reality. I wish I could’ve heard everyone’s thoughts as we all witnessed the same event- possibly the last day of a man’s life. And what were his thoughts before he went down- were they similar to mine this past December morning when I was rushed to the hospital? What is happening to me? Is this the end?

Did he die? I still don’t know. But I said a prayer for him either way.

And now, the sky is making its own noise, reminiscent of the fireworks of last weekend. I am lazy today. I am guiltily enjoying my summer rain shower. We needed this rain, it’s been so hot, lawns were turning brown. They’ve been threatening that there is a water shortage; however, I don’t believe them- what happened to all the water that was collected from the deluge of this past summer to winter? There has to be plenty left of that. In a few minutes I have to take a real shower and get ready for Lindsay’s bachelorette party. Yes. I am going. And so is Phyllis, Scott’s mom. Even though my friends are telling me I am not supposed to go, I’m going anyway. Lindsay wants us there. We are going out to dinner and then to a male strip club. I don’t particularly like male strippers but I’m going anyway. I am going to behold my daughter’s last adventure as a single lady. We are prepared; we have lipstick in the shape of a penis, condom lollypops and an assortment of other tacky bachelorette party paraphernalia. And I owe it to this blog to go to the bachelorette party. It is yet another event to document on this journey. The rain has stopped. I am waiting for Phyllis to pick me up. We are driving in. The girls are taking the train. I don’t like what I’m wearing and I’m uncomfortable in it. Lindsay is bedecked with a veil attached to a headband with devil ears and a sash proclaiming her the bride.

To be continued…..