"You better be there" the husky voice growled.
"What?" I said "You must have the wrong number."
"No" said the voice, "The park. In thirty minutes."
I pressed the phone tight to my right ear, feeling its warmth. What should I do? My good sense told me to forget about it!
I had no idea who this person was, but he sure had a mission and I was it! Well, I wouldn't go, so that would be that. Anyway, it could be dangerous. Meeting some unknown individual in the park? I'm old enough to know it's not a smart idea. Besides, he'd eventually realize he'd called the wrong number, I thought, as I resumed cleaning the kitchen.
While I loaded the dishwasher, curiosity flashed through my brain. How could I not go? I gotta go! I grabbed my purse and keys --- out the door I went into the sunlight of an ordinary day.
At the park I stopped next to some other cars, all empty, and all of them faced the small lake. Canada geese floated on the smooth watery surface. There were a few older kids on the playground, a teenage couple flirted face-to-face, and a lone man sat on one of the wooden benches. He was a nice looking businessman who wore dark shades. Could that be him? His newspaper was folded neatly beside him. While I checked him out, he looked boldly at me. Oooooh, this could get interesting, I thought, as I turned away. I wondered what was going on for this to be such a secret meeting?
Should I go up and tell him that he had made a mistake? It was before the appointed time so I hesitated a bit just to see what happened. Maybe he'd leave before the thirty minutes passed. Since he was not looking my way now, I decided to sit, watch, and wait. My cell phone was in my hand, ready. My heart visibly pounded.
The corner of my eye caught a homeless man as he left the edge of the road and headed for the park bridge. He stopped on the arch and looked down into the creek, like he expected something to appear. He looked lost --- how could he possibly be the man? Could this vagabond's voice be the gruff one on the phone?
Before I finished asking myself, another car pulled into the parking lot over by the swings. This new mysterious man stayed in his car, but glanced around expectantly. Geezs, now I'm really confused. Maybe it's really this new guy? How could I possibly know?
Unsettled, and with my stomach full of butterflies, I started my car, put it in reverse and left the parking space. Enough of this spy stuff, I thought, as I passed two incoming cars, both with male drivers. It could be either of them! Then I passed a man on a motorcycle heading into the parking lot. Forget this!
Someone's gonna be in trouble, but thankfully it's not me. Glory be, doesn't anyone work during the day any more???
As Ernesto heads our way, it's been one year ago today that Hurricane Katrina hit the New Orleans and Biloxi, Mississippi area and changed lives forever. These few photographs only touch on the horror of those days following the storm.
This post is dedicated to Polar Bear who started the Friday Fun Facts and has decided to take a break from blogging. We'll miss you, but enjoy your time off, PolarB!!!
