h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

[B4 is sitting in his study, in a large comfortable wing-backed chair. Between him and the other empty wing-backed chair is a small round end table, bedecked with a doily. A small circle of light, cast by a brass standing lamp, falls upon the table and the seats. A cheerful fire crackles in the stone hearth in the far wall, adding a warm ambience to the room and throwing shifting highlights onto writing desks situated on either side. The other two walls are built-in wooden shelves laden with all manner of books in various sizes, bindings, and colors. There's a small wet bar situated to the right of the double wooden entry doors and, to the left of the doors, a counter with coffee, tea, and milder drinks. B4 rises, setting down a notepad and a pencil, and beckons you in.]

Good you could come by to see me today. I was brewing up some coffee--some Kona--for when we sit down, so that's available if you'd like some. I can also offer you tea or a variety of other "lethal or non-lethal" drinks. Tell me what you want and let's get ourselves ready to settle in for a bit.

[B4 bustles around as you express your preferences, then leads you back to the chairs when you're both laden with your favorite libation. Once he's nestled back in his seat, he picks up his notepad and his pencil again. His eyes have an unfocussed far-away look for several moments as he muses upon a matter, all the while twiddling the pencil and tapping the pad. Then he breaks out in a beaming smile as he looks at you and leans forward.]

Did I mention this before you came over? It's my Sister's birthday today. I did? Good. Well, she's in for a surprise. I've actually remembered to send her a card this year! Hmm? Because I have a tendency to forget and then I have all these recriminations… No, I don't think Y--- gets upset, but in my heart I feel like I've disappointed her for too many years. Starting a new trend? As a matter of fact, I am. I'm fifty-two this year, old enough to be an adult and remember these things, so I've determined to not let it slip anymore. Mm-hmm, I think she will appreciate it. And I did include a short sentimental note to let her know I do still think of her, even though we're several states distant from one another. What'd I tell her…?

[He picks up his still-steaming cup of coffee, blows across the top, and takes a cautious sip. It apparently hits the spot and loosens his lips.]

I told her I'm so thankful she's my sister and that I'm proud of all the things I've heard she's accomplished over the years. I congratulated her on reuniting with a friend from her high school years and that I wanted to be invited to the wedding. I also reassured her I'd show up for it, unlike her school graduation ceremonies that I missed. Why? Because I was in the military, in Germany, and my commitments and small paycheck didn't lend themselves to breaking free and coming back to the States. Darn right. It's one of my biggest regrets between us. Oh, to be able to get a "do over" for that one…

[He takes another tentative sip, then swirls the cup slowly. He shakes his head in the same rhythm, a small grimace on his face. His countenance brightens, though, as a memory evidently crosses his mind. He shares it.]

Oh, Lord, she was the cutest little thing when she was a youngster! Blonde hair, sparkling eyes, and the sweetest smile… Yeah, she'd just melt your heart. And inquisitive! She was into everything! Y--- was like a whirling dervish, a tiny tornado, because there was a trail wherever she went. She eventually grew out of it, but we should have seen that coming. Hmm? Oh, because she had this funny little habit…she wouldn’t touch anything sloppy, at least not something as inherently messy as a watermelon. I've got to tell you this. When she was still in a high-chair, my parents would place a slice of watermelon on the tray for her. She absolutely refused to touch it with her fingers and opted, instead, to just "face-plant" into it and nibble it. I bet my Mom still has the photo of her--arms outstretched, ducking down into the watermelon, face covered in juice and seeds. It was such a hoot to watch her!

[B4 leans back and chuckles. He takes two successive swigs from his cup, then decides to keep the levity rolling. The cup gets set down on the small table, to free up both hands. You recall how he likes to gesticulate when he talks, so you know this will be an exciting show-and-tell session. It turns out to be even more visual, as B4 slips out of his chair and gets down on the area rug on all fours. He looks sideways at you and one hand comes up off the floor to add emphasis to his words.]

Y--- wanted to tag along with me so much when we were little, it took everything in my power to break free for a bit so I could hang out with my friends. Sometimes she'd get so clingy she'd grab my leg and hold tight as I limped around, dragging her along for a ride. If I wasn't keeping tabs on her whereabouts, she'd sometimes ambush me and climb onto my back. We had a running gag so, when she did it, I would yell, "Ow! There's a tick on my back! Oh! Get the tick off my back!" Then I'd find a piece of furniture or a door frame to rub up against to try to dislodge her. Most times she'd cling tenaciously; other times she'd overbalance and drop off.

[He demonstrates how he used to do it, by nudging the table and chair with his shoulder, then scraping his back along any available corner. A few moments of this, then he collapses and rolls onto his back. His face clouds with emotion and he tilts his head to look into your eyes.]

I think I did too good a job of getting rid of her. What do I… Well, since there was eight years difference in our ages, I found more and more reasons to ~not~ do things with her. I ran with my friends and left her to find kids ~her~ own age in the neighborhood and at school. I could have been the "overprotective big brother," but I didn't choose to play the role. [His voice hitches as he continues.] I missed out on so much…as we continued to grow up and grow apart. I… I don't know. I just want to find a way to reconnect with her and share another family memory or two.

[B4 rolls onto his hands and knees, stands and brushes himself off, then returns to his chair. He gives you another one of those pleading looks.]

Perhaps I could visit her if our family goes out to Camp Gunnison in Colorado again sometime soon. You know, the Denver area isn't too far from there and I could just extend a vacation by a few days, or reallocate some of the time… You're right that'd work. It'd simply take a bit of coordinating between us. And I'd really like Y--- to meet A---, and I'd like to meet E---. She's already gotten a chance to get to know Y--- when we took a trip to visit my Mom a few years back. We drove from Fulton to Ocean Springs, and picked her up in Oxford along the way. My daughter, Y---, is actually her namesake, even though they don't have identical names. No, I don't remember what prompted me to choose… Okay, maybe you're right. I probably ~was~ missing my sister and, subconsciously, selected a similar name to keep her close in some small way. You're pretty astute, did you know that?

[He flashes a big smile at you and nods. There's a little gap in the conversation, so he looks about the room. His attention goes to one of the desks by the hearth where a laptop sits, closed, on a large calendar blotter.]

Hey, guess what prompted me to get back on the ball and send her a card this year! No, it was something entirely different. You know how we hang out on H2G2 and kibitz with one another? Sure, at Lil's Atelier and some of the other long-running threads. Well, when they kicked off the National Journal Posting Month challenge…um-hm, NaJoPoMo…I wanted to organize the Entries I'd be writing throughout the whole month. What's not to "get"? I made a little two-column table with a slot for each day of the month, and the second column for the topics I wanted to write in my Journal. I tried to pair up some of my ideas with certain days of the month, you know, coupling some significance to the day's number in light of the topic.

[He sees he's not making himself clear, so he stops, squares his shoulders, and tries to elaborate.]

Okay, here are some examples. Yesterday's date was the 3rd, and my topic was three, the number of people still living in our home. The 7th will be a tour-de-force of a typical 7-day week in my life. The 12th is titled "A Baker's Dozen," talking about twelve types of food one could bring to work when everyone is "sharing a feed" throughout a work cycle. The 19th will have my initial observations about a used BMW motorcycle I purchased last month, on the 19th, so I'll have a month's-worth of acquaintance under my belt by then. You see it now, don't you? Yup, her birthday is the 4th, today, so this is the day I submit a Journal Entry about her. Hmm… You know, you're right. I ~should~ let her know about this. It'd be like a little tribute to her. Do you think she'd be embarrassed about any of this? Well, no, because I focused on special little moments I won't soon forget; events that are endearing and still protect her dignity. Except maybe that thing with the watermelon.

[B4 recognizes you've got more to do today, so he stands and collects the drinks.]

Hey, thanks for dropping by and sharing some time with me. Your suggestions are going to come in really handy to help me organize my thoughts and write up a truly poignant Journal Entry. No, don't be that way. I mean it. You've helped more than you know. Am I gonna see you later on over at the Salon, then? Great! 'Til then…

Oi, I wasn't finished with my G&T yet! *retrieves still half full glass*

Must come back later and read it again, slower - but it was nice of you to share your memories of your sister...

*exits, still clutching the *

Shouldn't the baker's dozen be on the 13th?

That is the SWEETEST. Loved the Watermelon story.

Thanks for the tea. And thanks, on behalf of Y.

Dang it, Ryan!
Or rather, dang it, Recumbentman! You are correct. I may have to shift it by one day.
The former exclamation is actually a family "inside joke" and--come to think of it--would make a wonderfully amusing Journal Entry.
So...

Thanks, Recumbentman!

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