“Hey Dirk.
Yessir?!
Can I see you at the office real quick?”
WEAVING through the congested lines and overfilled baskets, we arrived at the same time.
“It’s a battlefield out there”– he jokingly reminds me.
“Who’s winning?”– I shoot back.
SURVEYING the usual Sunday madness, his line of sight is directed to an elderly couple who are waiting for him.
“You see that couple over there? – he asks. With the veteran cap correct.
Indeed.
I need you to aid them with some items.
I was told by his wife- crowds spark his PTSD.
Now with that said, they may be a tad irritable- borderline rude.
Please be very patient with them. Ensure they leave with something positive to say.
And you asking me for that?!
I know. I know.
But you all I have at the moment. And I trust you. Cool?
I got you.”
APPROACHING the couple, the husband eyes Dirk suspiciously. His wife greets him wearingly but appreciative.
“Thank you for doing this, I am Helen. He’s John.
I am Dirk- nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you.
AYE, just give him the list”– the husband says annoyed.
Dirk notices the tone but blows it off.
“Okay, pasta sauce. We got noodles. No garlic bread?!
We must have garlic bread!” – Dirk exclaims.
“If we wanted garlic bread, it would have been on the list” – snaps John.
“Aye boss– Dirk begins but is interrupted by Helen.
It’s okay, please do not mind him.”
Eyeing John with irritation, Dirk collects his bearings.
“Okay I see you need fresh cheese; we must head back to aisle one.
UGGHH- belches John.
Fucking bullshit I say.
You need to relax sir- tremendously.”– Dirk barks back.
TENSIONS ARE RISING. Both Helen and Dirk can sense it. In a final attempt to resolve the issue, Helen walks ahead with Dirk. However, his body language towards her husband has the three of them flustered. John, despite his age, continues engaging Dirk. Both seem to be getting angrier and pettier. Neither were beneath mocking each other. Helen by now is beyond embarrassed. Her face red with shame and anger. Dirk finally notices and instantly regrets his behavior. By now though it is too late. Helen apologizes immensely and says she will come back another day. John had no complaints about this being he was already halfway out of the store. Dirk now ashamed of his behavior begins damage control. Surveying if his manager witnessed any of the commotion. So far- so good. What relief when his day ends without any complaints.
A WEEK LATER Helen returns but alone. Dirk notices her walking in from his register. From where he stands, she looks rather chipper. Her walk is one of delight. Complete opposite from the last time they interacted. Helen finishes her shopping before she notices Dirk.
“Good to see you again Mr. Dirk.
Yes, you too Ms. Helen. How have you been? – he responds.
Rather well thank you.
Hey Helen. I wanted to apologize for my behavior sincerely. My unpleasant day should never be yours… or anybody for that matter. It was inappropriate and distasteful. Can you and John forgive me? Speaking of John, where is he? In the car?
Thank you for that Dirk. I know my husband very well. He is a prick. Well, was a prick. I love him very much still, but I had to learn early- not everyone would respond as so. Even so, he always loved debating and pumping his chest. You do not survive the Nazis with anything less, ya know.
No way!! My grandfather fought the Nazis as well. He was stationed in Europe with the 3rd Infantry Division. His name was David.
Helen instantly brings out two pictures. Incredibly old pictures. Almost brittle to touch. Black and white, both were taken in the army from first glance.
“Was your grandfather’s name David Thomas. David Maxwell Thomas?
How do you know that, Helen? – completing forgoing his customer service tone.
Look at these pictures.”
The first picture shows two men. Young, vibrant men smiling as if they weren’t in enemy territory. Fully decked out in uniform, fully equipped- it begins to dawn on Dirk. His grandfather, every anniversary to the day, would speak rigorously about this one particular comrade in his unit. The one who saved his life. The one-time Dirk’s grandfather was sure he was going to die. He always called him… He could not remember. Seeing his mind in overdrive. Helen hands him the second picture. The same men but one is wounded, laying on ground, on a stretcher. The other man is holding his arm with a look of reassurance.
“Turn it over.”– Helen softly commands him.
DAY-MAN & JAY-WON, 1944
Jay-won! The name hit Dirk square in his frontal lobe. His grandfather was Day-Man. He got the name from all his kids- my father included- because he never wanted to sleep. Up early before the sun. Dirk was very conflicted by his memory and had not said a word since Helen showed him the pictures. He then studies Helen and her infectious smile. Lines are building but Dirk could care less. His usual bustle approach of transactions slowed down. Helen proceeds to sing a tune snapping Dirk out of his trance.
“A tiny sparkle remains, and sparks turn into flames.”
This song was his grandfather’s anthem. And those lyrics meant everything to him. Why is this stranger singing that? How does she know?
“H-H-Helen how do you know all of this? – asks Dirk stuttering.
Jay-won was my John. The man you almost fought last week. The man who saved your grandfather’s life. The reason- well one of them why you are even standing here. He was so competitive. He said he won so many times, he had to make sure everyone knew- she responds softly. No malice. A gentle teaching.”
Flabbergasted is an understatement. Instant emotion of tears of joy and sadness. Dirk chokes up trying to respond.
“I was so nasty to him.”-Dirk says in shame.
“As he was to you. Do not do that. I just wish we could have gotten there before it erupted into chaos. It is the reason I asked for you. I saw you once before and almost leaped into you. I was so unsure until they called you by your name. Your grandfather was determined to call your father Dirk but Etna his wife, your grandmother vetoed that at once. But by the will of God, he got his wish in the end. My husband John suffered greatly after the war due to health issues. His speech became impaired and his memory scattered. His temper is the result of his frustration. He had no idea who you were and maybe that was for the best. See two days ago, he passed in my arms before bed. Did you know he was 98 years old? I, myself, am only 86. He has seen so much and touched many lives. I know the opportunity to speak to him is no longer, but I feel this was how it was written.”
Even with such sound reason, Dirk feels like shit inside. How dare he ruin a moment in time. A full circle event dashed because of personal anger. Did he have to be so defensive? Dirk would have thrown a fit too- at 98 years old having to maneuver around people who could care less he was there. 98 years old!! Ninety- eight!!
Both Helen and Dirk stare at each other- recognizing the significance of such a moment. Now with customers beginning to voice their impatience, it is time to end the transaction. Helen and Dirk embrace in a hug that seems to last forever. They exchange contact information and promise to resume this conversation ASAP.
After communicating via text for a week, the day to meet arrives. Waiting patiently for Helen to walk into the bakery, Dirk questions why he could not always be like this. Wait. Observe. Then act. Instead of it being reversed. As this lesson cements itself in his sub conscious, his phone rings. It is Helen and he quickly picks up. However, it is not Helen but her oldest daughter. She informs Dirk, Helen had passed in her sleep after saying goodnight. All Dirk could do was listen and shake his head in confusion. He believed he had a chance to make amends with his history. To reconstruct his behavior amongst people he assumed could do nothing for him. Both portals, which he did not even know existed, up and vanished within the two weeks of learning of it. You cannot control fate nor manipulate it. Yet if you can land in honey or vinegar, I’ll choose honey every time.
DRC Thomas-Payne
5/31/24
PayneInTheCulo 