Sisterhood

December 16, 2012

I journaled religiously ten years ago. Upon leaving the country I packed everything to mail at later date (when my back pay arrived.) Instead of mailing my goods, curiosity must have gotten the best of Sophy, my then best friend. She proceeded to go through everything I owned, discovered my journals, promptly read through each and every one, page by page. All of my thoughts, actions, dreams, feelings and personal relationships experiences were in those notebooks. She indiscriminately distributed them to our mutual friends who understand English and translated the details to those non-English speakers willing to pay attention to the story. Denise was one who refused to listen to my invaded intimate life and consequently suffered greatly. She was ostracized from our community of friends, nearly displaced from her relationship with her son’s father and shunned from prospective work to the extent that she ended up homeless for a time with her three year old son. That is how much control Sophy had over this fairly large group of comrades. She is wealthy and well-known in this small city, a Brit who buys from a lot of the local vendors that cannot afford to make an enemy of her. It is a very political social network. In the meantime, I had notification that the journals would be burned at my request. To this day, I don’t know if that in fact occurred. They could very well still be in circulation.  Keep your eyes peeled for them!

Firstly, I have no recollection what those journals included. I do recall working night and day for a time on decorative products I completed while employed by Denise. Beautiful and creative baskets of all sizes to sell to a retail chain. Per usual, the laborer makes the most meager sum while the retailer profits the most. Needless to say, the designer’s takings are insufficient as well. I did note these complaints though the project did in fact support my skimpy lifestyle. Secondly, I am humbled, stunned and forever appreciative of Denise’s dogged loyalty and steadfast continued friendship. Astounded that she didn’t ever waiver from her trust in me and resistance to the gossip and ugly unwarranted subsequent fiasco that became her life as a consequence. Allegiance is so under-rated.

Boys are in the above ground pool, efficient women cooking in the kitchen (well, I am watching, supervising really and drinking wine) and catching up on the novellas of our lives in the last ten years! So much has happened, besides the journal crisis, friends died of drug overdose, others disappeared without a trace. I still have a handful of friends around that I need to track down one way or the other. Staying in my old neighborhood for a few days that I hardly recognize though the corner grocery store we frequented is still in business and just as lame as it was back then. Did find everything I need to make my famous fettuccini and muffins. They are requesting my famous giant cookies I used to make. Mrs. Fields recipes were very popular and sold like crazy! The poor vendor ate many of them as well while perched on her chair waiting for her customers. Her personal invoice was always the highest. Poor fat Vera!