Jeff Poulin. This shot is actually from two years in the future.
My good friend (whom I will call "The Protector" in subsequent posts) met me at the Dunkin Donuts in Charlestown and we hung out, talking over coffee. He had come all the way down from New Hampshire just for the day to see me. And then, he offered to drive me into Connecticut.
We hopped in his car and caught up along the way. The plan was to go to Milford. We used to be good friends back in high school and in our college years but had not seen each other since then. He had gone into the Air Force and had done a lot of camping and hiking in and after the service as well. We discussed different techniques. He gave me advice on animals in case I should run into any. When we got to Milford, he offered to buy lunch and we ate a hamburger place--lots of food. It was great!
When we got back out to the car afterwards, he opened the trunk up and began pulling things out for me. Two t-shirts, ski pants, gloves, a military rain coat, a Camelbak canteen, a rain parka, thick socks and a bunch of other things. He also gave a Buddhist pendant from him and his wife with this engraving in Vietnamese...
Binh An Loi Lac
"In Peace and Security/Benefit"
It was all very generous, almost over the top. We got back in the car and drove around looking for a hotel. I'd decided that I really did need one night's rest from the road and was willing to spend my money. We finally stopped at a Days Inn and as I was getting cash out of the ATM to pay for the room, when he offered to pay for it. This was over and beyond.
By the time we said goodbye and I walked up and into my room I was simply glowing. It had been a hard nearly-two weeks past. It was so nice to be far ahead of the game. I could shower, and sleep in a bed! After my shower, I stood and looked at my face in the bathroom mirror. I was happy, but something seemed dark. I had my gained my little intuitive voice--which I was beginning to call the Spark, and my unseen companion was never far from me. But, there was something else too. I couldn't put my finger on it. It was like a presence but not as benevolent...
By the time we said goodbye and I walked up and into my room I was simply glowing. It had been a hard nearly-two weeks past. It was so nice to be far ahead of the game. I could shower, and sleep in a bed! After my shower, I stood and looked at my face in the bathroom mirror. I was happy, but something seemed dark. I had my gained my little intuitive voice--which I was beginning to call the Spark, and my unseen companion was never far from me. But, there was something else too. I couldn't put my finger on it. It was like a presence but not as benevolent...
That night I went out looking for a new camera. The Android had been lost back in Easton, Massachusetts and the back up camera finally died. I bought another one at Walmart for $30. The store was a mile down the road and it just started raining--so I got to test my new rain gear. But when I got back I noticed that the new one is total junk (never buy the Vivitar DVR 1440HD!). I'd have to return it the next day. I'd also stopped and picked up a beer.
It's funny, every now and then I feel like I have to go outside and get fresh air from being in my room too long. Ha! Still, on this night I would sleep in a double bed, but I turned off the heat.
As I lay in bed, I though much. Connecticut is a strange place in some ways. You can't buy a beer at any store except certain supermarkets and liquor stores. Liquor licence applicants are vetted by the public with a sign outside their prospective locations, like hanging a scarlet letter on them. There are no sidewalks around the dozen strip malls here. No foot-crossing lights. But people can still smoke inside certain areas of buildings.
The people are a lot like Mainers--a little brusk and terse, but honest. At the liquor store one of the owners told me I didn't have a Maine accent. I told her that Mainers have told me I have a Connecticut accent. I asked her about the alcohol laws. Her brother has a place up on Unity Lake in Maine and knows how much more liberal the laws are in the Pine Tree State. I'd replied that I'd only wanted a beer but had to walk another half mile to that liquor store to buy one.
We were both laughing about the difference between the two states. I said Connecticut is pretty puritanical in that regard. She agreed. She said that the state just allowed alcohol sales on Sundays a few months ago, but only until 5:00 pm.
I asked if it is still legal to beat your wife here. She smiled and said, "No but in my house it is legal to beat your husband and kids."
It's funny, every now and then I feel like I have to go outside and get fresh air from being in my room too long. Ha! Still, on this night I would sleep in a double bed, but I turned off the heat.
As I lay in bed, I though much. Connecticut is a strange place in some ways. You can't buy a beer at any store except certain supermarkets and liquor stores. Liquor licence applicants are vetted by the public with a sign outside their prospective locations, like hanging a scarlet letter on them. There are no sidewalks around the dozen strip malls here. No foot-crossing lights. But people can still smoke inside certain areas of buildings.
The people are a lot like Mainers--a little brusk and terse, but honest. At the liquor store one of the owners told me I didn't have a Maine accent. I told her that Mainers have told me I have a Connecticut accent. I asked her about the alcohol laws. Her brother has a place up on Unity Lake in Maine and knows how much more liberal the laws are in the Pine Tree State. I'd replied that I'd only wanted a beer but had to walk another half mile to that liquor store to buy one.
We were both laughing about the difference between the two states. I said Connecticut is pretty puritanical in that regard. She agreed. She said that the state just allowed alcohol sales on Sundays a few months ago, but only until 5:00 pm.
I asked if it is still legal to beat your wife here. She smiled and said, "No but in my house it is legal to beat your husband and kids."
Lying there in bed, I had such a good feeling inside, all things consider. Everything was going great and I was just at the beginning of the adventure!
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