Memories of Jackson posted 7/3/2009 3:57:34 PM | 4 kudos what's this?     report abuse tagged: american, angel

BionicCouple

I wish I'd kept a diary of each day I spent in Jackson, and I'd intended to. We talked about this and within minutes Chris found an unused notebook in a box of stuff his neighbour was throwing out, along with several still-working ballpoint pens and a hanging ornament of two angels cuddling up together. There was also a gold Sekonda watch and $2 in change, amongst other things. It's amazing what an urban beachcomber can find.

Even with the book and pens I rarely felt the desire to write, except for a couple of occasions when Chris was playing and singing through his repertoire and I felt able to tear my eyes away from those talented lips and fingers. All I can remember about Day One is going to Choctaw Books where Chris works to meet the owner, Fred and going to McDades for supplies.

Despite the fact Chris and I had talked on cam from the bookstore all that time, I'd seen little of Fred, he liked to keep a low profile. Chris told me he was a Saint but I wasn't sure how I was going to find him. In person, he's one of the nicest people I've ever met, a true gentleman with a soft, genteel, traditional southern accent I could listen to all day. He loves England, or at least London and was amused by my initial impressions of Jackson. Although we spent little time at the store, it was a stop-off most days after treks out for essentials. Somewhere to sit and cool off with a drink before the last leg home.

The bookstore itself is a treasure trove of second hand books. The building's somewhat of a Tardis in as much as the tiny white apex frontage belies the huge space beyond. Another time I would have loved to spend hours looking through the merchandise but didn't want to waste a moment that could be spent enjoying Chris. He's openly demonstrative by nature, a trait he's felt a need to hide in the past due to the 'significant other' at the time finding it irritating. I'm of a similar nature to Chris but have locked that side of me away for so long it took me a day or two to thaw out. I know some find public displays of affection nauseating, and I don't enjoy full-on snogging, tongues and roaming hands either, but seeing couples holding hands or stealing a kiss has always warmed the cockles of my heart, even if at times I felt slightly envious. I've waited a long time for it to be me stealing those kisses and I enjoyed every minute of it. We noticed people smiling at us everywhere we went, they even stopped in their cars ... this was probably more due to the fact we were actually on foot than anything else, but at least we brought a smile to their faces. When we ate out at Shoneys, a man sitting at the table opposite told us how delightful it was to see us holding hands. He almost went home singing when we told him we were just married the day before.

Although each day melded into one, I think the evening of Day Three was spent at Harry & Susan's house. Fred and his wife had also been invited, but Fred arrived alone. It was enjoyable, if a little awkward at times. Harry picked us up and we started the evening in the garden. I didn't want to drink because I was taking Benadryl, which was just as well because the chair I sat in eventually broke under me and I could have ended up in a heap on the floor if I'd been inebriated. It was incredibly embarassing and made it hard for me to tuck away too much food after as I felt like two-ton Tessie, even though it had been an old chair. To be honest, this invitation came a little too early for both of us, we were still really only interested in each other. Chris asked Susan if he could borrow her guitar and he played and sang the first song he ever sent me on Matchdoctor, Blue Eyes.

Harry & Susan's house was another treasure trove. They're collectors of all sorts, mainly stuff they can play with; old toys, records and musical instruments. Their latest 'toy' a full-size gong took centre stage in the living room and we were given an ear splitting demonstration. I'm not kidding, this gong wouldn't have gone amiss on the opening credits of a Rank Organisation movie. Susan also managed to make it sing without even touching it, using her voice. Harry and Fred sat in the dining room listening to an old vinyl recording of a classical piece based on the story of Jobe. Chris and I stood quietly feigning interest with our arms linked behind one another knowing the evening wasn't over until the root beer floats made an appearance. Oh My God, I thought I was going to experience something mind-blowingly phenomenal by all accounts. I guess they appeal to 'the child' in Harry and Susan but they really did very little for me ... a waste of decent icecream in my opinion. I guess it would have helped if I actually liked root beer.

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Blogs by BionicCouple: The Spiritual Plagiarist! When Love Takes Over LOVE, TIME & TECHNOLOGY PART 3 LOVE, TIME & TECHNOLOGY PART 2 LOVE, TIME & TECHNOLOGY PART 1 The Moon In July KISS MY FAT ASS!!!! Jackson Wildlife I Dare You To Watch This Without Laughing ... Memories of Matchdoctor I Wrote A Song ... Did Misschoos Just Fart? Memories of Jackson Nowhere Road The Shoot Out! Love, Death, Relativity of Time. An Ode to Pud the Wonder Dog : Part 2 An Ode to Pud the Wonder Dog : Part 1 A Message From Deda Forgotten Childhood! Matching Molly Bloom Again This Place Has Become Boring! Oh, oh, oooooh, oooooooooh, ooooooooooooooooh, oooooooooooooooooooooh! Some Things Never Change, Thank Goodness! She Had Him Right Where He Wanted Her!