Jesus

Originally posted June 29, 2008

so i'm sitting at the coffee place doing internet stuff, well, rather, not doing the ebay stuff i'm supposed to be at.

There's a young woman sitting four feet away from me, through the window, she's facing the street. I'm behind and to the left of her. I catch her profile, back and shoulder. Thin and pale, mousy hair, little moles sprinkled on her arm, with a cotton dress and a sunglasses a little dated. Lips colored just a shade too bright for the occasion. There's a guy with her, I see the back of his head, red skin, short buzzy hair kind of. Talking about his trip. And more about his trip, all these places: Slavic, Spanish, Arabic. He gets tired of all of them. She says,"Yeah." So many times i lose count and get irritated. nodding her little cracked smile.

This other guy comes and asks if he can sit down. I want to say, "He looks like Jesus." or maybe, "hey, there's Jesus." Stellar blue eyes (this is the eurocentric savior picture type) contrasting a pure white long sleeved t. shoulder length gold curls, short blond/red beard. khaki bag. he sits down.

Trip guy asks one question about what she's been doing. Studying and working. Then he says he's going into the store next door for a bit but will be back.

About 30 mins later he comes back. I'm surprised by him. and to realize she's been waiting for him. this whole time. Tells her it's been great seeing her again. She nods and smiles. Then he's gone again. She moves to maybe close her books and head off, a little uncertain.

Then Jesus starts to talk to her, he crosses his leg toward her and looks into her eyes. He asks her what she's studying, what level, what she thinks of it, what she really thinks of it. She talks and he listens. Plato. What it's like to study philosophy. they kvetch about the cost of college,talk about books. She says "yeah" only once. They exchange names. He shakes her hand.

She reads more, then asks him if he's heard of this woman she's reading about. They talk about feminism, writers, history.

The music changes, Dolly Parton's guitar brilliant and painful, Jolene, i'm somewhere else now...

they talk more. She stands to leave. She is stunning. Curves and contrast. I see her eyes for the first time. Like ebony pools, she holds them to his bright blues. and offers her hand and promises to call.