NOVEMBER PLAYWRITING CHALLENGE

November 26: A WALK

PROMPT: OR RUMINATE ON THE SIDEWALK POETRY.

MADDIE

It was just one of those perfect New York City days. You know the ones, where it’s one of the first warmish days of Spring. The first one where you don’t need your heavy jacket. You feel lighter…literally lighter. And figuratively I guess. But people really abuse the word literally in the English language anymore. So I would like it noted that I used it correctly. Anyway….I was feeling really low that week. I kept thinking about how unmoored my life felt. How listless I felt. So I got into my prettiest spring dress and headed out into the streets. I had $45 in my bank account, but a day like this necessitated an emotional support cold brew. I procured the goods and not even a little harmless flirting with the barista made me feel better. What was wrong with me? I wished I could talk to my grandmother. See, she was one of the only people who really “got” me. But she was gone. As I left the coffee shop, overpriced coffee in hand, I saw a chalk message written on the sidewalk “Sidewalk sale today, books, jewelry, figurines etc.” I remembered the music box my Grandmother got me for my 12^th birthday. When you opened it up a bear in a tutu danced as Swan Lake played. I remember what she told me, “I know things have been hard recently, with your parents splitting but always remember that if you do a big ballet leap I’ll be there to catch you.” Sweet sentiment but where was she now? Another few blocks. This break up had really shook me to my core. I thought she would be the one. That the constant swiping and banal conversation would finally end. Another sidewalk message “Records, sheet music, estate sale today” I remembered the weathered record player my grandmother had. The Doris Day records she used to play as she made me cookies. Cigarette in her mouth, cocktail in hand singing,”Que Sera Sera.” I guess whatever will be be will be. I’ll be alone forever. I stopped by the local vintage store. Not even finding a fun statement scarf for $25 could help me. Outside, another message “Just around the corner. Treasures galore!” I remembered bitterly how people used to call me a treasure, my Grandmother, my girlfriend. What was I now? An ugly discounted scarf at the vintage store? Fine, I guess I have to go to this stoop sale. I rounded the corner and there it was, though it wasn’t much. I thumbed through the handful of books. I picked up one, a book of Cicero’s writings. I looked in the front cover and I couldn’t believe it. The previous owner had signed the cover, “Linda Marlowe” it was my Grandmother’s name! She was there, leading me to find the book. I thumbed through the book and there was a line underlined, “The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living” She was there. I was going to be ok.

END