I’m sitting, at the gate. 6 am.
Slumped in the seat, I unstrap the day-to-moment: alarm, bleary-eyed 4 am shower, the pack-up, the last once-over of the room, the tip for the cleaning lady, the hotel checkout including erasure of the $18.95 wifi overcharge, tip for the bellman, cab, boarding pass, security and of course, the slow march down the corridor with the bag. The bloody bag, wheels now up, exhausted from the trek, is resting peacefully.
Sigh. It’s ok.
I twist in the ear buds, find Today’s Chill playlist and turn inward, deep into the Head.
30 minutes till boarding.
There’s a stir in the waiting area. Ladies chattering.
Hair gelled and swept back. Fitted black sport coat. White starched shirt. Skinny black tie. Slim fit, boot cut, stone-washed jeans. European style boots, fine polish. Accessorized with a smart brown leather case, Louis Vuitton-like with a fancy French handle like Porte-Documents Jour. As he passes by check-in, there’s a whiff of Tom Ford oud wood eau de perfume which fills the waiting area with its rose wood, cardamom, and tonka bean alchemy. Ladies swoon, now fully under the spell.
He takes the empty seat next to me, and sets the Porte-Documents Jour neatly on his lap.
I slide my bag under the seat, out of sight. Jesus. Mr. Dandy had to sit here?
I close my eyes. Shift in my seat. Can’t find a sweet spot, this seat cushion where 53 million travelers sat before me. Ass to manufactured steel. I shift uncomfortably.
Mr. Dandy sits with his hands cupped one over the over on top of his Porte-Document Jour. No ear buds. No books. Just sitting peacefully, absorbing the adoring lights on him, and oblivious to CNN blasting from the monitor overhead about Trump’s tweets, flooding in California and a Man who was told he was fat actually having 130 pound tumor.
Sigh. It’s not ok. Really.
Down 15 lbs, there’s been casualties. Jacket is oversize, cuffs below wrist, sleeves invisible. Shoes, scuffed, dusty and oversize, callouses forming on baby toes, left and right. Belt synched up on pants to hold them up, waist band bunching up front – sweat pants really, not fitting as relaxed-fit Chinos were designed – and all nicely rumpled from a bad fold job. Shirt would fit a thick necked wrestler, but on me, pooching in the front, tail untucked in the back. Underwear, black gotchees, hanging loosely. Socks, over-the-calf, somehow too tight, pinching legs. Unshaven, with 2-day bristle, but nothing cool about the sharp grey-black splotchy stubble rounding out the ensemble. Oh, let’s not forget the Old Spice (Old Man) deodorant and a splash of something akin to pungent sticky, insect repellent.
The attendant makes the boarding call. Dandy stands and walks to the gate, all eyes locked-on.
I sit up, tuck in my shirt tail, thinking that will clean this up, and drag my carry-on, which has awakened with its wailing. Wow, what a f*ing mess.
Melvv cues up on my Favorites with “Not Me“:
I keep falling down when I stand on my feet
Feeling like a clown when I say what I mean
Screw it. Let it all go. Middle Aged Man, is going sagging. Really, like who cares.
Take off belt, let pants sag, let the black gotchees and crack hang out. Going Street.
Like who cares, right?
Notes:
- Find Part I of III: Flying Over I-95 N. With Wheels Up and Part III of III: Flying Over I-95 N. All Oversized.
- Photo: “Collectives” by Cássio Vasconcellos (via thisisnthappiness)
- Related Posts: Commuting Series
Reblogged this on O LADO ESCURO DA LUA.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you kindly for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You know that a picture, one picture, is worth a thousand words, right?
LikeLike
Ok Zen Lady. Enough code. Spill it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think your choice of photo to pair with this post could have been better.
A photo of you with Dandy in the back.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmmmmmm
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved the picture, David. And the story is classic Kanigan; exposing/sharing the wounds of the less-than-perfect. I really enjoyed it. This is why your blog will stay on my daily newsfeed, even when I’m on a blogging break. 🙂
I can’t tell but, based on this story and my own experience, I guess a lot of people wobble along a fine line between hoping no-one cares and wishing for a morsel of more appreciative attention.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Awww Sarah, you made my day. Thank you for the kind words.
And I paused on your insight, the fine line, the wobble. Love that description at which I whispered yes.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wait…is this a fabulous description of Willy Loman, or are we reading about you? If the former, you have given my mind’s eye a perfect image. A thinner you? Hardly fits the description – even with the carry on desperate for retirement.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Smiling. Yes, two desperate souls yearning for retirement.
LikeLiked by 2 people
My friend, you may be desperate to retire, but you are not a Willy Loman character. You’re more a Bogey-type with a rumpled raincoat, a great fedora and maybe a slight, but endearing sneer..😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
Fedora, not so sure, but you have a magical way with thoughts and words. Smiling.
LikeLiked by 1 person
so funny, the contrast between you two, and i’m quite sure he might not be so perfectly buttoned up and put together underneath his facade. funny, the description of your suitcase, with the wobbly wheel, is very similar to your description of yourself. )
LikeLiked by 1 person
Laughing. You are right. Me, My Bag, Same.
LikeLike
A Dino walking up in the present day.
(If you tilt the picture towards right, the outline formed makes it look like a Dino)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t see that. Wow!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love talking about pictures. And your post was just like my first experience 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mr. Dandy had me laughing, and thinking about the way we all used to “dress up” for those flights, or airport appearances. Times have changed, and I’ll opt for comfort. Every time.
That being said, I really enjoy the people-watching, and try to imagine the life stories that cannot be camouflaged. I’m betting yours are better than his.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Smiling. I’m not sure Van. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
12 years, 500,000 miles were exactly summed up in these few lines…men and women dragged from home, from sleep, from the comfort of knowing who they are and where they are for their jobs that require them to be strangers and not. I’m off the road now but can tell you that Inwould rather be sitting next to you than the rooster dandy. Be well and sleep in soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Smiling. Dragged from home, from sleep, from comfort. Beautiful captured. Thank you Mary Ann.
LikeLike
:0))))) We’ve all been there. Great post by the way!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Peg!
LikeLike
I see the dinosaur! And I can so relate to: a lot of people wobble along a fine line between hoping no-one cares and wishing for a morsel of more appreciative attention.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, I appreciated Sarah’s insight about on the fine line and the wobble.
LikeLike
Ahhh! I’ve noticed as I age i can pretty well wear anything because I have discovered the cloak of invisibility! Age! It’s almost as if, being anything over 40 something makes me nothing to see no matter what I wear. 😀
Love your story-telling!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Laughing. I wouldn’t mind invisibility at times. Thanks Louise. Appreciate your kind words.
LikeLike
Time to retire the bag Dave.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is Olga. 😀
LikeLike
Oh dear David. The slippery slope. May have to report you to Susan: this attitude needs correcting immediately before it’s too late.
Probably already is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LAUGHING. Oh it’s way too late Michael. She knows and I know. 🙂
LikeLike
Ahhhh, David. I’d much rather sit near you and your authentic, true self than a perfectly coifed and dressed mannequin. Honest.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Good for me and the other disheveled road warriors. Thanks Roseanne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m a sucker for an Old Spice man.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good for us d men Linda!
LikeLike
Been there, done that. Loved the story telling.
My guess will be Mr. dandy is in mid to late 30s and a pain to sit next to, on a long flight!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
I’m with you on the “Who cares?” attitude. I’d rather be comfortable. Besides, just think of the time Mr. Dandy must spend trying to keep up the image. And do we even want to have a conversation with someone who spends so much time on his looks. (Haha – I can hear the younger crowd saying, “Conversation? Who wants to talk? Just bring on the action.”)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Laughing. Action is all in the definition. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
First off, great writing! Really good! And I think you are right, everyone is so caught up in their own story and their own insecurities and pain, that they probably don’t care if your pants are sagging or your wheels are falling off your luggage! I mean, they will definitely hear you coming and of course will get a whiff of your insect repellant as you pass by and even have a side glance at your crack, but at the end of the day, Mr K, they won’t care! Ha 😬😀 Might go street myself! 😝
LikeLiked by 1 person
Laughing. Thanks Karen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You? Going Norge-Man? Not in a million years.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Laughing. TRUTH.
LikeLike
i’ve gone the other direction. I’ve reached a shape where nothing fits, and there is no such thing as tucking the shirt in. So I went and bought a Navy Blue sports coat.
It helps. Because no matter how big a slob I might appear to be, and how badly everything else may fit… Hey, Navy Blue sports coat, man.
Top that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Laughing. Can’t top that Stephen!
LikeLike
I’ll get it right one f these times.
Hahaha….I just realized I wrote about that jacket at Christmas. Its kinda long.
Hey David!
http://srevestories.blogspot.com/2016/12/its-kind-of-night-thats-so-cold-when.html
LikeLiked by 1 person
Done! No worries. On Mon, Feb 13, 2017 at 2:31 PM Live & Learn wrote:
>
LikeLike
Great writing David! As always, we felt like we were right there with you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Yvonne!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You live dangerously man. Who bought you that ‘something akin to pungent sticky, insect repellent’? I hope it was you. I have that 4 am shower tomorrow. And if I’m lucky Dandy will fly north on Valentines. Loved it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Laughing. I must be hard for you to fight off all the Dandy’s…
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’ll see 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person