It’s late afternoon and I’m exhausted. The day was a bit of an emotional roller coaster and I’m feeling the strain. I don’t have the energy to take the dog for a proper walk so I take him to the park with the kids. They play happily on the playground equipment and the dog runs about, head down, tail up. Soon other dogs start appearing and my little white hound joins a bigger dog – perhaps a cattle dog cross over near the oval. I wander over to make sure the dog owner doesn’t mind. She’s sitting on a log wearing a fluffy purple beanie and holding one of those ball-throwing arms. Beside her is a shopping bag on wheels. She smiles at me and says “Lucy is very friendly”. I am at once at ease and sit on the next log along watching the two dogs play.
She tells me that Lucy is actually her friend’s dog who she has been minding while her friend is ill. “It’s been 12 weeks,” she says. “I think it might be permanent.” As she talks I enjoy watching her face. Her eyes are so animated and her soft skin has settled into cheerful lines. I learn later that she’s 83 years old.
Soon we are joined by a couple with a 13 week old red cattle dog puppy called Chutney – a perfect name for a dog that colour. Chutney and the others frolic happily and we all admire each other’s pets. When the puppy and the couple have gone again, I say to my companion “I’m so glad I didn’t have to take O for a proper walk today. I just had surgery 3 weeks ago and I just don’t have my energy back yet.”
She says “Oh! What did you have done?!” I smile at her open curiosity. Some people wouldn’t ask so directly. I answer just as directly.
“I had a mastectomy.”
“Really?!” Her face is an open blend of sympathy and surprise. Her following questions are just as direct and unabashed. Suddenly she says “Can I see your hand?”
I am so astonished I hold out my hand with my phone in it and she gestures impatiently for me to get rid of the impediment.
“Are… are you a fortune teller?” I ask, completely bemused.
She looks straight into my eyes and says firmly, “I just like looking at hands.”
Her hands are warm around mine and she gently bends my hand this way and that. Then she chuckles delightedly and says “Oh! You’ll be fine!”
I break into a glad smile. Even while I don’t believe in her powers, I am still grateful for her confidence. But then she floors me.
“Oh my goodness, you’re a writer!” she exclaims, sounding pleased. I’m gobsmacked. “Um yes. I am,” I stutter.
“You’re very talented,” she says authoritatively.
I laugh. “You can look at my hand any time,” I offer generously.
She shows me the line that she says tells her that I’m a writer – a line that goes all the way to “the mountain of the moon”. (I think I’ve remembered that correctly). “I hope you get published soon. Keep writing!” she orders.
We introduce ourselves then and say goodbye, hoping to meet again. I gather the children and the dog and wander home through the brisk air, admiring the full moon through the leaves of the plane tree. I can’t stop wondering what else she can tell from people’s hands.
Out of the Cave 
A lovely encounter. Glad you are going well 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This woman was just a delight. I mean, obviously she flattered me. LOL. But still, she was just one of those people you meet that you instantly like.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now that’s a precious gift. Sleep well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. You too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a wonderful anecdote! I bet that woman made your day 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
She was a gem. 💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
She seem like a character!
Reads like the start of a good movie…
I love the straight talking oldies. One perk of getting old, is you learn to cut the bullshit out (in my purely observational opinion).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do appreciate the straight forwardness. Well I like people who instantly show vivid personality. And her directness was accompanied by warmth and humour so it was totally likeable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cool! What an awesome encounter!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was. 🙂
LikeLike
that was a pleasant read and lovely setting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
sweet
LikeLiked by 1 person
what an amazing encounter; I found it delightfully told, a little enchantment 🙂 that 83 year old comes across as sprightly and young 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh she is! Only a slight tremor gives her away. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, what a wonderful encounter and so beautifully told!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. 🙂 It was heart-lifting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an amazing, not to mention, wonderful encounter to have. I’d sure take it as an omen. A favorite phrase…fluffy purple beanie. I just love that, and can see it like a big chrysanthemum perched in her head. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂. It was definitely a surprising and heart warming meeting. I am pretty sure the beanie was knitted by the woman herself. It was such a good depiction of her – bold and cheerful… just like your chrysanthemum. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
A wonderful piece. I saw it all. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes, so cool, and so well told ~
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
How wonderful. I’d like her to look at my hand, too. You know…for reassurance to keep writing 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊 Totally. I haven’t seen her again. Maybe she was a dream. 😇
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! Not bad messages to get. What an interesting encounter!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sure was! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person