Saying Goodbye to the Bunny

Ha!  I’d like to see a showing of hands of those of you who thought that title meant I was retiring a favorite, um, bedroom toy.

Uh huh.  Yeah, I expected as much.

Damn, I’m good.

I’m sorry to disappoint.  That’s another story, and I call him Prince.

This week we retired a woman who had worked for my boss for 31 years, Bunny.  It was a sad and awkward day and I’ve been thinking of her quite a lot.  I knew that I wanted to write something about her but didn’t know how to make it fit.

Then in my twitter stream I was lead to a link to The Red Dress Club.  This week’s Red Writing Hood prompt was all I needed to get the brain working.

As I sat down to put on a little powder, I could hear the unmistakable sound of Old Blue Eyes’ The Way You look Tonight coming over the living room speakers.  Aah, Harry was in A MOOD.

I patted my hair.  After 15 years, Tina FINALLY got it right.  And she was able to get me in today.  Must have been a miracle.  Now where is that MAC lipstick my darling Emma bought me?

A moment later I felt his hands on my shoulders, his lips at my ear. “Darling, you’ve never looked more beautiful.”  That Harry, always the romantic.  Amazing he still said that about me, this 80 year old me.  His eyesight must be going.  He pulled me into his arms for a spin around the room.  He always was a great dancer.

“Why don’t you wear those patent red pumps of your tonight?”  ”Oh Harry, really?  I was hoping maybe we’d get a chance to dance this evening.  I couldn’t possibly make it through dinner in those.”  ”But Bun, they remind me of our first dance.  You were so daring in those shoes but your eyes were so shy.  And maybe that wide skirt and the soft sweater with those maddeningly small pearl buttons?”

Okay.  He is DEFINITELY in a MOOD.

A while later, sitting comfortably in his Jag, listening to Louis sing What a Wonderful World,  we pass by the cute French restaurant I was so sure we were going to.  It always reminded us of the trip we took to Paris for our 25th wedding anniversary.  Hmmm, this is strange, he just passed that little Italian ristorante.  I so love going there, replaying the trip the kids sent us on when Harry finally retired at 70.  They always play our favorite tunes.  That Rosemary Clooney and swoon, Bing Crosby.  Oh, be still my heart!

“Harry, where are we going?”

“Not much further, dear.”  By now Dean Martin’s That’s Amore was playing.  I couldn’t resist tapping my foot to the beat.  Harry hummed along, a twinkle in his eye.

Oh!  The country club! “Darling, the country club? Won’t it be crowded and loud?”  Almost to prove my point for me, the sounds of Sammie’s That Old Black Magic cut through the night as Harry opened my door.  ”Come on, dear, it’ll be fun.”

As we made our way to the front, I was certain I recognized one of the kids’ cars in the parking lot.  Maybe Harry was up to something.  Hmmmm.

The maitre’d greeted us by name but didn’t lead us to our usual table.  ”Honey, where ARE we going,”  ”It’s such a lovely night, I thought you would enjoy eating out on the patio.”  He had a point.  It was quite a night, the stars shone bright, the moon full.

When the door opened on to the brightly lighted courtyard, I suddenly saw the faces of my children, and then the grandchildren.  There was Emma, carrying Zoe, my first great, grandchild.   And Nicole, my walking partner.  Oh, sweet Josh from the grocery store.  Jarrod’s boyscout troop?  Could it be? No, my SISTER?  Annie?!?!?  Oh my, this was going to be some birthday party.

I hope they don’t mind if I remove my shoes!

18 Responses to Saying Goodbye to the Bunny
  1. Sara
    October 21, 2010 | 7:04 am

    I love this. : )

  2. Ashley @ Just Another Mom of 2
    October 21, 2010 | 7:16 am

    This is so great! You have such a great way of drawing a reader into your story. I want to hear more!

  3. Jackie
    October 21, 2010 | 8:37 am

    Love your story!!

    I keep wanting to take part in the Red Writing Hood prompts… never seem to be able to make the time.

  4. Coffeypot
    October 21, 2010 | 8:42 am

    So…did he get any later that night? I hate to be left hanging…

  5. magnolia
    October 21, 2010 | 8:59 am

    it’s always inspiring to read good writing. that’s one hell of a well-crafted scene. :)

  6. Tee aka The Diva's Thoughts
    October 21, 2010 | 12:31 pm

    That was very well written! Loved it!

  7. tulpen
    October 21, 2010 | 1:56 pm

    Maybe ’cause I have a thing for old ladies, but I got all verklempt at the end!! Would love to get a granny hug from Bunny.

  8. Jacqueline Evancho
    October 21, 2010 | 2:30 pm

    People are very busy today and when you are looking for something and find it, you really want to thank the author – and this is what I am doing right now – Thanks!

  9. Andrea Cooper
    October 21, 2010 | 5:33 pm

    Oh! You have such a way with words! Very cute!

  10. Aleksandra
    October 22, 2010 | 5:52 am

    I’d love to meet a woman named Bunny. I actually thought you were referring to like a child’s raggedy old toy. Great story, too! Love it!

  11. ksluiter
    October 22, 2010 | 9:49 am

    Everything about this was lovely! Her name being Bunny, her cute romantic relationship with her husband, the red shoes…I love it all! I feel like I want to know more! I want the rest of the story!

  12. Carrie
    October 22, 2010 | 11:00 am

    What a cute story. Bunny sounds like a fun lady. However, my 2yo’s fav toy is named Bunny so I kept getting these images of a pink rabbit dancing the night away ;) But that’s probably just me

  13. BLissed-Out Grandma
    October 22, 2010 | 3:25 pm

    This is a nice story, nicely told. Good job, Mad Woman.

  14. angela
    October 22, 2010 | 5:16 pm

    What a great tribute! I love the way you incorporated the songs into the story. What a fun lady :)

  15. injaynesworld
    October 22, 2010 | 5:58 pm

    What an enchanting and engaging piece. I was left with a little lump in my throat.

  16. CDG
    October 22, 2010 | 9:01 pm

    the maddeningly small pearl buttons!

    the music!

    swoon.

    harry and bunny.

    a whole love story in one evening.

  17. Cheryl @ Mommypants
    October 22, 2010 | 10:26 pm

    Very, very sweet! Ah, to still have romance when we’re 80. Sigh.

  18. Jessica Anne
    October 24, 2010 | 10:21 pm

    What a sweet couple! I loved the song references, it was like a soundtrack playing in my head while I read. I’m sure no one minded she took off her shoes.

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