Mary Jane

I met the woman of my life on the 19th of November, 1987. It was outside the supermarket that I visited frequently, one of those places with a colored and reassuring signboard. They could have written “You are welcome, but your money is even more” and people would go there anyway.

I only had a plastic bag, not overly full, and I was approaching my car when a small dog met me, he stopped and began to stare me in the eye. I smiled and slightly changed direction, deviating from the path I had chosen. The dog continued to follow me. I quickly loaded the bag under the watchful eye of my new friend. I took some of the ham I had just bought and watched the animal devour it with astonishing speed. Once he finished the meal he nonchalantly climbed into the back seat and crouched down. I was surprised and amused but I had no intention of expanding my household, so I remained standing there for a few minutes thinking about what to do.

About twenty meters from my car there was a girl loading half a dozen shopping bags into the trunk. One of them ripped and an array of fruits, liquids and colored boxes spilled on the ground causing her to leap backwards.

— Fuck! — I heard her exclaim.

Then she looked around and caught my glance for a split second. Abbey had left me four months ago, nearly five, and my gentle soul prompted me to rush to the aid of the damsel in distress.

— Can I help you? — I asked.

— No, don’t worry … fuck …—she said with her hands smeared with eggs and grapefruit juice.

— Let me give you a hand — I insisted.

So I took some rags that I had in the trunk of the car and I gave them to her to clean up. Meanwhile I retrieved what was left after the incident and tried to salvage it: some fruit and a carton of orange juice. There was nothing to be done about the eggs.

— Thanks—she said as she tried to take something slimy off an old, pink ski jacket.

— Don’t mention it—I answered — My name is Theo.

— I am Mary Jane—she said, annoyed — Yes, just like Spiderman’s girlfriend.

Become a Medium member — I’m sorry, but I haven’t been bitten by any radioactive spiders recently — I urged. Regret about that comment was immediate. Her silence was eloquent.

— Here … — she handed me the rags — or perhaps it is better to throw them, I think — she added.

— No don’t worry. Give them to me anyway.

— I’m not joking..don’t put this stuff in the car! It has a disturbing odor. I’m going to throw everything in those bins.

— I will help you — I concluded.

We walked in silence and I did not find anything intelligent to say.

— Are you from around here? -I asked.

— I am from Claremore.

Abbey was from Vinita, I often passed by Claremore. But I do not think that Mary Jane was interested in this. She had big padded boots and tight-fitting blue pants that showed a fairy tale butt. Once we arrived at her car I realized that I was developing a crush on a stranger outside a supermarket but I had little time to act. Mary Jane hugged me and greeted me with a smile.

— Thanks..what did you say your name was?

— Theo.

— You’re a true gentleman.

She was already far away, and I stood there stiffly, in a parking lot so big that one could land a 747, and only 8 degrees above zero. I returned to my car and my skimpy shopping. I started the engine, and only after I had left the supermarket did I remember there was a dog in the back seat. Although I had left him alone with the shopping he had not taken anything. He had been quiet with his muzzle resting on his crossed paws.

— What’s your name kid? You got a name? -I asked with a tone like John Wayne.

The dog looked up and pointed his ears. Then after a few seconds barked.

— I hope you’re a girl, Mary Jane, otherwise you will be a male dog with a great, girly name.