DAKONDA

Chris was going for vitamin infusions because he had cancer.  He was really struggling.  I was struggling, too.   Everything felt frightening and vulnerable.

I would drop Chris off at his vitamin infusions three times a week. I'd go grocery shopping, or just read and wait, or have Herman our dog with me and we'd just pass time until Chris was done.  Chris was so thin then.  He looked like an 80-year old man sometimes.  His cheek-bones jutted, and his blue-gray eyes were sunken and I'd hold his hand, or clasp his wrist, and it felt like he might blow away.  Just blow away.

So one day, I drove up to pick Chris up from his vitamin therapy.  And he's standing there out in the street on Union Turnpike in Flushing - next to some weirdo-guy.  Some guy who looks  like Opie or Howdy Doody or some shit.  Sorry, don't mean to be judgmental, but whatever.

So I pull up and Chris goes: "Hey, Honey - this is DAKONDA!  He likes VEGETARIAN FOOD!  We were thinking of grabbing some lunch!"

Well, I have no idea what to make of this.  I just know that lately I'm in a constant state of shock because my husband looks like he's about to collapse.  So I go: "GREAT!"

So Chris and Dakonda jump in.  I drive, as directed, down Parsons Blvd. to THE UTOPIAN CAFÉ`.  We find a spot and head on in.

We sit down on these little stools in this vegan tea parlor.  There's a piano in the corner - nothing fancy, but a cute little upright.  Dakonda orders us tea and I go play a song.

I play an original song about love and loss of trust.  Dakonda starts crying while I play.  It's a little surreal.

He invites us to an upcoming Open Mic.  We accept. 

The Best Is Yet To Come.

 

To be continued...