Today is the birthday of my ex-husband. Maybe it was coincidence that I ran into one of his French friends this morning that I rarely see. Since I bear no ill will towards him in the least, let me amuse you with a few memories of him.
I miss him waiting for me after work on the days that he didn’t work; he’d either be in my office lobby or waiting downstairs in my building, so that we could take the cable car home together. On the days he wasn’t waiting for me, but not working, I’d come home and open the apartment door to the smells of something delicious cooking. He’d bundle me up in bed watching a movie until dinner was ready, then we’d eat. On the days that he did work, I’d usually be playing video games when he got home. My favorite video game is a snowboarding one called “Tricky.” When he’d get home, we’d play “Tricky” for a couple of hours.
Being French, he was an excellent cook. We routinely had people over for lunch and/or dinner. When one of us decided to make something, the other would try to one up them. It was like a cooking competition! He was, by far, the better cook, though. He was the type that never had to measure anything. Plus, he could whip something up at the drop of a hat and it would turn out excellent. When my friends would ask what it was, I’d tell them that there was no name for it ’cause he’d just made it up! I was using my bad American influence on him, though; got him hooked on baked potatoes with tons of butter, sour cream, bacon bits and chives, in addition to Kraft macaroni and cheese with vegetable broth (instead of milk) and Cajun spices!
He was funny and sweet. He didn’t know the English word for “toes,” so called them “foot fingers”! He also referred to “jet lag” as “jet flag” and always said “virgin” when he meant “version.” His nickname for me was Bunny Butt. Don’t ask me why! Actually, we both ended up calling each other “Bunny.” One time when I returned on a flight from Europe, he met me at the airport holding a sign that said “Bunny.”
We went to Hawaii twice together. At the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet when he was hungry, I told him to go to one of the food trucks and get something to eat. He ended up buying malasadas, which he loved. While we did our shopping separately at the Swap Meet, we met up to discover that he’d bought gifts for me and vice versa. He was further amazed that the McDonalds in Hawaii have steamed rice, fresh pineapple and linguica. When he met my great-Aunty Rose in Kauai, she asked me where he was from. I told her “France. Why?” “He seems Portagee!” she proclaimed. “Well, he likes malasadas and linguica, so he may as well be Portuguese!” I laughed.
So, Mon Lapin, I hope you’re enjoying your day, wherever you are and whatever you’re doing. I still think of you and miss you. I will always wish you the strength to deal with your issues when and how you choose to, wish you harmony in your life, wish you happiness with friends and family, and wish you great love with someone who truly appreciates you and gives you much love in return.
Bunny Busting a Move on the Dance Floor
Us at Christmas