As I walk down the sidewalk, I’m being ever so careful under my beach umbrella. I just don't want any acid rain to hit my skin. It’s the only umbrella I could find at the thrift store and even though it takes up almost the entire width of the sidewalk, it’s better than nothing! As I walk, I reminisce in the silence, as memories flow through my brain. I daydream about the time I strolled down the boulevards of Chicago with my family, laughing and carrying on! Enjoying the sunshine and wonderful fall temperature of 65/70 degrees. The trees down the center of the boulevard had bursts of fall colors, red, orange, yellow and green. There were huge baskets hanging full of marigolds and other flowers of every color, just like a box of crayons! My brother and I broke out in a tune that was popular back in the 60’s “When you’re alone and life is making you lonely you can always go Downtown”.
“Hey lady! Watch it with that umbrella! Hog the whole sidewalk why don’t ya?” As he rushed by, I heard some choice words muttered under his breath.
I usually watch ahead, paying better attention and raise the umbrella high over our heads if I meet a seldom person that might be out in this stuff.
Once again, I think back to the 60’s, only this time I remember those umbrellas that came halfway down your body like a big deep bowl turned upside down. Just imagine a big clear beach ball about 3 foot across, cut in half. They were so ridiculous; they didn't make it very well in the market back then. Now I just wish I could afford one! So, someone with an abundance of money brings them back and now days they’re referred to as the great “bubble umbrella”, a fashion statement in various colors matching wet weather clothes. Who knew?
Above my head I hear popping and snapping and as I look upward, I notice various signs that appear to have a short in their electrical system. I wonder how much longer they can withstand this acid rain before they just burn out and send this city into even more darkness than it is already. They just keep flickering on and off much like the old-fashioned neon signs getting ready to burn out.
As I approach the bar, I look at the sign and think to myself I STILL have not figured out how to pronounce that! Sa-doke-oh? Saa-kee-toe? One of these days I am going to remember to ask the bartender exactly how to say it.
“Hey Lenny! Don’t you ever go home?” No response, just a look as I get closer. Maybe he didn’t hear me since the rain’s coming down a little harder and as it hits the gray canopy above his head, it IS noisy.
As I get closer, once again I holler out “Hey Lenny! How's business today?”
“Same.” In a quiet, bored voice.
“Seen anything of the cream guy?” I don’t know his name, but I know he works at the creamery, so I dubbed him with the “cream guy” as my nickname for him.
“Yep, he just went in a bit ago.” As he adjusted his glasses and shifted in his chair.
“Thanks Lenny! See you in a bit?” While I struggled to close the big beach umbrella under a canopy smaller than the umbrella itself! In the old days you could just lean the closed umbrella inside the door and go about your business. Not anymore, it's a necessity and you have to keep it close by.
“Don’t know.” Lenny responds.
But Lenny, like the rest of us, will end up inside, as always.
I opened the door and had to grin as the tune on the jukebox sings out “Don't hang around and let your problems surround you, there are movie shows. Downtown. Maybe you know some little places to go, where they never close. Downtown.”
Love this.
THE UMBRELLA DOWNTOWN - By Darcie A. Sheley
As I walk down the sidewalk, I’m being ever so careful under my beach umbrella. I just don't want any acid rain to hit my skin. It’s the only umbrella I could find at the thrift store and even though it takes up almost the entire width of the sidewalk, it’s better than nothing! As I walk, I reminisce in the silence, as memories flow through my brain. I daydream about the time I strolled down the boulevards of Chicago with my family, laughing and carrying on! Enjoying the sunshine and wonderful fall temperature of 65/70 degrees. The trees down the center of the boulevard had bursts of fall colors, red, orange, yellow and green. There were huge baskets hanging full of marigolds and other flowers of every color, just like a box of crayons! My brother and I broke out in a tune that was popular back in the 60’s “When you’re alone and life is making you lonely you can always go Downtown”.
“Hey lady! Watch it with that umbrella! Hog the whole sidewalk why don’t ya?” As he rushed by, I heard some choice words muttered under his breath.
I usually watch ahead, paying better attention and raise the umbrella high over our heads if I meet a seldom person that might be out in this stuff.
Once again, I think back to the 60’s, only this time I remember those umbrellas that came halfway down your body like a big deep bowl turned upside down. Just imagine a big clear beach ball about 3 foot across, cut in half. They were so ridiculous; they didn't make it very well in the market back then. Now I just wish I could afford one! So, someone with an abundance of money brings them back and now days they’re referred to as the great “bubble umbrella”, a fashion statement in various colors matching wet weather clothes. Who knew?
Above my head I hear popping and snapping and as I look upward, I notice various signs that appear to have a short in their electrical system. I wonder how much longer they can withstand this acid rain before they just burn out and send this city into even more darkness than it is already. They just keep flickering on and off much like the old-fashioned neon signs getting ready to burn out.
As I approach the bar, I look at the sign and think to myself I STILL have not figured out how to pronounce that! Sa-doke-oh? Saa-kee-toe? One of these days I am going to remember to ask the bartender exactly how to say it.
“Hey Lenny! Don’t you ever go home?” No response, just a look as I get closer. Maybe he didn’t hear me since the rain’s coming down a little harder and as it hits the gray canopy above his head, it IS noisy.
As I get closer, once again I holler out “Hey Lenny! How's business today?”
“Same.” In a quiet, bored voice.
“Seen anything of the cream guy?” I don’t know his name, but I know he works at the creamery, so I dubbed him with the “cream guy” as my nickname for him.
“Yep, he just went in a bit ago.” As he adjusted his glasses and shifted in his chair.
“Thanks Lenny! See you in a bit?” While I struggled to close the big beach umbrella under a canopy smaller than the umbrella itself! In the old days you could just lean the closed umbrella inside the door and go about your business. Not anymore, it's a necessity and you have to keep it close by.
“Don’t know.” Lenny responds.
But Lenny, like the rest of us, will end up inside, as always.
I opened the door and had to grin as the tune on the jukebox sings out “Don't hang around and let your problems surround you, there are movie shows. Downtown. Maybe you know some little places to go, where they never close. Downtown.”