🎶She shadows me in the mirror; She never leaves on the light...🎶
More people are coming back into the lives of the Keen Suns, and some are focusing on me as much as they are my dear little sister, Joy Sighn and the troubled cousin who is currently roaming near my former home, since Hoai and Xu Lei decided to take Tua to Seattle for the first weekend he is there. This morning, I got to visit with
Dyranne was lovely, and her eyes could nearly hypnotize a man to do what she wished when she would soften her voice and give that gentle, endearing smile. She had a sweet heart to match those looks, too!
one of Val's dear friends, Dyranne (Die-ran-aye) who was always one of the most wonderful of the people I knew back in the day. Beautiful, inside and out, she is the one who is much like that endearing Golden Angel but has - well, had - a mouth on her and a temper that would flare without warning. We met for coffee and chatted over our drinks about old times and our own friendship. I never knew she felt so strongly about me, back then. She always kept it to herself, out of respect for the others that were already fighting over my attention behind my back.
Whether at the local disco floor or on the roller-skating rink, this woman loved to move and shake her body, and always gave the biggest grins and boisterous laughs when she did! I always loved that energy she had.
Dy loved to go to the Disco or roller-rink and was the one who taught me to two-step. She was awesome fun! Even now, she has a way of getting me laughing. She doesn't normally speak with the Ebonics (black American) verbiage, but some of the things she says when utilizing it cracks me up. Last night, for example, she said, "Oooh, Booooi, I shore as shit gotta see youz again! Specially with'a way youz lookin' now! Yum!!!" 🤣 I thought I was going to die I was laughing so hard. Then today, it was, "Mmmmhmmm, so fine I'ma gonna' jus' rip alla youz clo's offa ya an' take'a my fill ri' he'ah chile! Ooooh I'z in love, Honey-Man a'mine!" And then she kissed me full on the lips while I was doing my damnedest not to spill my macchiato as I was about to totally lose it with laughing my ass off. That kiss got me in a way that stifled the laughter even quicker, and so we talked about how we were, and what she's looking for. But do I know what I want? And how much has she changed since then?
Still lovely, with a look that melts the heart. And she gives as good as she gets when teasing, too. But when serious, she has a serenity of the soul that is palpable that people around her feel.
She remembered my art, my passion, my sense of honor and gentlemanly way when it came to women. She thought she'd found someone like that, until their wedding day when she caught him cheating on her with one of the bridesmaids. Talk about low. I felt for her. I held her hand for a few moments as she trembled with both that play of rage and sorrow that washed over her, through her eyes and as she came back to the moment, feeling my hand and taking hold with her own, she mellowed and gave me that most sincere, beautiful smile like I remember from our youth. And in that instant I realized that I'm the only one who has ever seen that smile, there was a connection that couldn't be explained with words. Yes, this woman is truly lovely in the depths of her being, and yes, she does love me. I'm not sure it's the romantic (Eros or Ludus) type of love she teases me about, but it is love and that makes me smile in a way that people see it comes from the heart and brings a smile to their lips and spring to their step too. She showed me a piece of art I'd done of her that was a favorite she has kept all these years, too. And when I asked for a copy, she did send it to my e-mail. And later when home, sent me others she had, some of another friend who is living nearby too. I look forward to seeing them both at Tai Chi practice.
Dy did say she loves me, always did. She wants to know me again, like we knew one another as kids. She could tell that I've changed over the years from some of the things I said and my behavior during our discussion and pointed out that I'm one she's often thought about and prayed for. She also noted that she just wants to take things slow, that she has seen how Aranya adores me, and doesn't want her hurt in any way, either. I never realized; this woman is a little over 3 years older than me. She has made herself successful but keeps to herself and a small circle of friends while the business contacts are merely that... contacts... not friends. She hasn't done much with the Suns in years, barely speaking with Tori and Anya, even before Val passed. But she managed to reconnect with another of the girls who was a street kid like me, Mara. That was the other one she had several pictures of. I'm glad to have those, too.
Mara loved apples (especially with caramel or cinnamon and sugar) as much as I did. Giving her one or helping her swipe one, was always a good way to get her to give that big, beautiful smile.
Mara was quieter, sweet, full of an orneriness without being mean, but loved to dance, sing and had taught herself how to juggle and do sleight of hand. She was our little Greek-American gypsy, always wearing flowing shirts and skirts, running around barefoot as much as Anya, playing instruments with me, or helping A.J. and I swipe food from the stands and carts when we found them unattended. She wasn't around as long as most of the others, due to a relative being found who took her to Boston. But now that she's grown and getting older, she doesn't like the crowds and noise, so moved back here where there's less population and pollution, with more quiet moments she says allows her to gather her thoughts and calm her soul. I'll be meeting with her on Wednesday, if all goes well, and am really looking forward to it.