February 04, 2005

eleven minutes in heaven

I returned to the office after my lunch break, stopping at the hall closet to leave my coat.

“Aha!” Miriam said, pointing a long finger at me from the doorway of the accounting office. “Who vas zat?”

“Who was what?” I unwound my scarf and draped it over a hanger.

“I saw zhu!” Miriam said. She was being playful.

I replied in Spanish -- something about her being half crazy -- and then asked what the hell she was talking about.

Miriam put on a little skit. She tossed her hair flirtatiously and perched on one leg as she kissed an imaginary someone (a tall someone) on the cheek.

“Zhu know. At zee library.”

“Oh! You mean Stuart. My friend’s husband.”

She dropped playful as the look on her face became suddenly very stern. Hands flew to hips. Eyebrows knitted.

“Heazzer. No.”

I laughed from the deepest part of my belly.

“Miriam! I was giving him something to take to his wife! We’re not having an affair!”

She stood there, mothering me with her posture.

“Besides? I was gone ELEVEN minutes.”

“Zat ees all it takes!” she said and spinning on her heel, disappeared into the office.

I relayed the story to Krissa and Stuart tonight at some point during our date at Dylan’s Candy Bar. The three of pushing plastic spoons through gooey sundaes sharing a gossip, ice cream and a few laughs. Krissa, of course remained unthreatened by my rendezvous with her beloved. When we parted an hour or so later (after ravaging the bulk candy bins), our heads were buzzing from sugar highs. It then occurred to me, that if I were going to get into any kind of trouble with Stuart, it was much more likely to have something to do with lockjaw and an Everlasting Gobstopper contest. And those things last WAY more than eleven minutes.

Posted by This Fish at February 4, 2005 08:28 PM
Comments

Oh come on, what did you say to her in Spanish?
"Oye, putita...esta loca?"

Posted by: Robotnik at February 4, 2005 08:56 PM

i love how you try to show the accent...that's always the funniest part of the post...the only other person i know who does that is brando at one child left behind when he's writing what his romanian wife said...simply hilarious

have a great weekend!

Posted by: ak at February 4, 2005 09:12 PM

I thought that story was humorous :)

Posted by: Rowan at February 4, 2005 09:19 PM

Hi babe. I really liked your blog and keep reading it once in a while. Mind to link back to me as you do with your folks? I will really appreciate it. Be nice, be cool!

Posted by: Milthon at February 4, 2005 09:53 PM

ak - if ONLY I could do it justice the way Brando does! I ADORE those posts.

Posted by: Fish at February 4, 2005 11:11 PM

Haha, too cute :)! Love the accent.

Posted by: Harmony at February 5, 2005 12:25 AM

Besides, what would you & Stuart have been doing for the other nine minutes?

Posted by: G at February 5, 2005 01:36 AM

That is seriously freaky. I'm out in CA, but someone where I work uses a Dylan's Candy Bar bag to bring their lunch, and I wondered to myself if you ever go there, since you're the only person I "know" in New York.

Posted by: judy at February 5, 2005 04:07 AM

{Think Sally Field here}
You linked me! You really linked me!!!

Gracias, Fish-ee. Super sweet of ya..*kisses*

Plantation.

Posted by: Plantation at February 5, 2005 10:47 AM

What street is Dylan's Candy Bar? Is it a must visit?

Posted by: Lisa at February 5, 2005 02:51 PM

Brando and I share the same Mother Country. I have to skaddadle over to his joint and read more stuff. Thanks for the re-direction.

Posted by: Robotnik at February 5, 2005 03:00 PM

WATCH IT GOLDNER.

Posted by: k at February 5, 2005 03:19 PM

I totally ate all of that Atomic Fireball without taking it out, too.
Apart from when Krissa stole it for a second to see what it tasted like.

It was like Aftershock, that fiery cinnamon daredevil shot stuff which, through excessive consumption, I more or less became immune to at university...

also?

Watch it Goldner.
You will note the restrained British lack of capitals.

Posted by: Stuart at February 5, 2005 06:02 PM

Did you ever read the book "why girls are weird?" It is sort of strange but reminds me of your blog. Just a thought

Posted by: nina at February 5, 2005 10:24 PM

Nina darling, everyone is weird.

Just another thought. There are a lot of them about.

Posted by: Stuart at February 6, 2005 02:36 PM

I heard it takes Stuart 11 minites too. If he wants to do it twice that is ...

:-)

Posted by: Adrian at February 6, 2005 04:20 PM

Haha I'm with ya on the meeting up with friends' partners and them bieng totally unthreatened. My hubby calls his line manager his "work wife" after he came to the realization that he probably spent more waking time with her than with me. So when she calls I say "its your other wife" but thankfully I'm not in the least bit threatened by her.

Oh and damn now im hungry for icecream!!!

Posted by: Vero at February 6, 2005 06:02 PM

You seem like a very nice fish and I would trust you with my husband...oh wait I don't have one! I would trust you with my boyfriend though, even though I'm not sure if I would trust him. That's not good is it?? :)

Posted by: Robin at February 6, 2005 07:06 PM

I really enjoy reading your posts. I just read your areticle in the NY Times. It read like a good book, I wasn't ready to put down! (This is my first time here, but you'll be one of my regular reads here on out!) Just wanted to say I enjoy your site.

Posted by: 3rd Times a Charm ( 3T ) at February 6, 2005 08:39 PM

If Miriam goes on a sugar-free diet, watch out...

Posted by: Ontario Emperor at February 8, 2005 04:24 PM