“It’s just so syrupy sweet! Life isn’t like that, and the more they try
to tell us that “this is what romance
looks like”, the more we will always feel like we’re falling short of providing
OR receiving the real thing. It’s a
farce. One way to sucker women in to
believing that men like that actually
exist, and another way for men to feel that woman are just sappy little vapid
creatures who really only want to be taken under a strong man’s arm and swept
away. Frankly, it does more harm than Slasher
films. At least everyone watching those
gore-fests know that it’s made-up Hollywood crap. No one expects to go camping and have a hockey-masked-wearing,
revenge-seeking-zombie chasing you with a machete. These schlocky romance films become something
people aspire to be. Give me Jason or Freddy anytime.”
“Is that the end of your tirade
Anna, or do you have any more lessons in romance you’d like to offer?”
“Don’t be patronizing,
James. We’re being spoon-fed this false
ideal of love, and everyone seems to be swallowing it down…willingly! Not only THAT, but people are actually waiting
in line and paying an absurd amount of
money on movie tickets in order to be
shown what “romance” really is. Where
has that gotten us? The divorce rate in
the US is over 50 % alone. And that’s
being generous. Maybe we should spend a
little less time dreaming of passionate kisses in the rain, and a little more
time living in reality.”
“You’re such a bleeding heart. I don’t know, Anna. I like romance movies. I don’t believe that what happens on screen
translates to how my life should be led.
I’m not a puppet. I just like to
see a happy ending. Shoot me. And if you
didn’t want to go to the movie, you should have just said so.”
Anna rolled her eyes and shook
her head, making her earrings twirl in the darkness.
****
They continued their walk in
silence, each deep in their own thoughts.
Anna and James had known each other a long time. It was going on close to 30 years since they
first met at the municipal park of their hometown. They had both grabbed for the same swing, and
an instant friendship was formed. Since that
day, they had always been in each other’s lives – either face-to-face, or
through phone calls and letter writing, now sending emails.
They’ve never been intimate. They’ve always just been friends. Well, that’s not exactly true. James had tried to put the moves on Anna once,
when they were both tipsy on plum wine, but it was awkward and clumsy and
embarrassing. They never talked about
the experience again. They both never touched
plum wine again, either.
James was married and going
through a divorce. Anna had never
married. Neither of them had children.
Both of them successful, almost mid-aged adults who seemed to be an odd friend
match. Anna was direct and
abrasive. James was easy-going and liked
to please. Anna made a To-Do list for
everything, James just winged it. Had
they met as adults, neither would have given a second thought to the
other. As it was, however, they both
couldn’t imagine their lives without the other.
***
James coughed a little to break
the silence.
“Speaking of romance, Anna
Banana, when are you going to settle down with that heart-throb Richard?”
“Don’t call me Anna Banana, and
why should I “settle” for anything? Much
less settle “down”?”
“Good Lord, you are in a mood
tonight. What happened? Did a flying farm house drop on your sister?
Jeezus.”
“Very funny,” Anna softened. “Sorry, J – I don’t know what’s wrong with
me. That movie just put me over the
edge.”
“Wanna talk about it? Our café is 2 blocks up.”
“Let’s just walk a little while.
If you don’t mind.”
James shrugged. He knew Anna well enough to let her be. She meant no harm, and was the kindest person
he’d ever met, once you got over her scaly exterior and venomed tongue.
They trudged down the avenue,
peering into storefronts and making meaningless small talk until Anna felt
ready to begin.
***
“The thing is, J...I don’t
know what I want anymore. My whole life
I worked towards a career, focusing on climbing the corporate ladder, achieving
more, earning respect. Now, I’m not
sure why. I don’t even particularly like
what I do. It’s just what I’ve always done.
It’s what I expected of
myself. It’s what others expected of me.
“Watching that sob-fest tonight
just opened my eyes to that fact. I’m no
different, no better, no stronger than any of those women running in to the
arms of their knight in shining armor.
It’s what was expected of
them."
James listened and nodded, understanding
that Anna was finally coming to a realization that he had come to years
before. She was fighting a battle, but
only with herself.
“I’m not sure what to do with
myself. Let’s face it. Richard’s a nice guy, but do you actually see
us together? What’s that lyric, “we’re
just two lost souls, swimming in a fishbowl, year after year”. That’s how I feel about us. Never connecting, floating through this
world, confined to our habitat. Is this
love? Is this…it?”
The rain had started to fall and
was picking up in intensity. Anna didn’t
seem to notice, and James didn’t mind.
He stood there, watching her look more lost than he could ever remember
her looking, and more real.
She caught sight of him staring
at her and tilted her head to one side, questioning without saying a word.
“I’m glad you’ve finally realized
what I’ve known all of these years, Anna.
Your climb to the top was your way of avoiding anyone, anything that
might hurt you. You achieved success,
but are still lacking that one thing that will make you complete.”
James inched towards Anna and
gently lifted her chin with his hand.
They kissed. The type of kiss that can only be described
as passionate; in the rain and underneath the flickering lamp-post. They kissed.
And all of their troubles melted away.
***
“What in the hell was that?! We finally have a strong woman to look up to.
One who says it like it is. Breaks down the fairy tale romance machine that has
been building since before I saw Disney’s “Cinderella”, and with one rainy
night and one clichéd epiphany, she’s gone?!
Poof?! Another damsel rescued by
the clear-headed gentleman? Why did I
pay to see this movie? I could watch
countless commercials on TV for more entertainment value and less money!”
Michael sighed. “Calm down, Susan. It’s only a movie.”
