I lost the Chickens and Piano in the Divorce
Yesterday my past and (possible) future collided, and made me thankful I live in the present. I know that’s a deep sentence, but hear me out. Around 2pm I received a phone call at work. “Hello Mrs. Fackler, this is Bob from the XXpiano company.” Side note: I have not been Mrs. Fackler for 10+ years so this call is from someone who obviously does not know me personally . “Its been a while since we tuned your piano.” I laughed and said, “well, Im sorry to say, but I lost the piano in the divorce.” His reply was sincere, and said several times , “I am so sorry to hear that!”.. In the awkwardness of the moment, I tried to crack a joke, and said, “yea, I lost custody of the Piano, greenhouse AND the Chickens. I decided to learn the fiddle because it is more mobile”. I don’t think he understood my dark humor because he then went on a short monologue that included “losing an instrument is like losing a family member”. I thought that was a heavy statement, but hey, this guy obviously loves his job. I did not have the heart to tell him I miss the chickens more than the piano or my Ex husband.
After all these years, I do recall the day “Bob” was at my former house tuning the piano. While I was writing out the check, he awkwardly mentioned “Did you know there are large boot prints, IN DRIED Ivory Paint on the top of the piano?” With a straight face I replied….. “Yes I do….. that is reason # 19 (on a very long list) why i am heading towards a divorce. “ Ahh, I see”…..He quickly took the check and left. Our phone conversation concluded with him “on the lookout” for a new piano for me.
Fast forward two hours. I’m trying to pull a heavy grocery cart through 10 inches of sludgy snow in the Safeway parking lot. A man, (in his 40’s id say) noticed me struggling and offered to help. If I was not in pain (still nursing a sprained ankle) I would have declined, but hey, its 5pm, lots of people around…He was being a gentleman, so I convinced myself he was not a wacko.
About 10 feet into our adventure, he said aloud, “You remind me of my great aunt Bessie!” She was a champion Yodeler from Arkansas!” I said, “oh really?” and thought “oh god, what the hell is he going to follow that statement up with????!”. “YES,” he replied, and then told me in great detail all the awards she has won, how the town was so proud, her visit years ago to Alaska, did (I personally) know how to Yodel, ?? etc.,. As I’m hastily tossing the groceries into the truck, His parting statement was, “You should meet her if she returns”. “I quickly shut the door and sat silently trying to make sense of what just happened.
….” YODELING?????... SERIOUSY!!!!??? “What vibe did I just emit to remind him of some weird aunt???? Does she also look tired, lost & miserable? Has she also “given up” with her appearance? Or maybe his aunt has also been mistaken as Mrs. Santa Claus as I often am with small children.
Later in the evening, As I am relaying these events to my ever-sarcastic husband, he said, “Your just too nice, that’s why these things happen to you!”.
In reflection of all this, I have decided to give the piano guy a call back. Maybe he can set me up with a new piano so my fledgling yodeling career can be brought back to its original glory. If he tosses 6 chickens in the scenario then it’s a deal! Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings! ~