 |
| Click image for more vignettes |
She said, “Very well, thank God!”
Goines thought, What the heck? and said it too: “Indeed, thank God.”
And then he couldn’t help himself; he asked, “And which god do you thank?”
Hermina’s neck tightened, raising her head slightly.
Goines’ eyes looked at her in the mirror – he was masked against viral infection, having donned a standard mask with ear loops so she could slip them off briefly when need-be.
“Jesus Christ!” Hermina said.
Goines sensed a sort of duh! in the manner of her answer, an of course, who else?
He said, as kindly as he could, “Was that the first time anyone asked you a question like that?”
”Yes!” Hermina acknowledged, but refrained from asking a return question.
Goines thought it was maybe part of her training in hair styling. Don’t get personal.
Starting to pay for the haircut, which Goines thought excellent and efficiently carried out, he asked Hermina whether all of the tip would go to her, or have to be shared.
She assured him it would be hers alone. He paid by credit card and added several dollars.
Hermina gave him a coupon for $9 off his next haircut.
“I’ll ask for you, Hermina,” Goines said, making sure his smile showed in the eyes above his mask.
Goines thought, What the heck? and said it too: “Indeed, thank God.”
And then he couldn’t help himself; he asked, “And which god do you thank?”
Hermina’s neck tightened, raising her head slightly.
Goines’ eyes looked at her in the mirror – he was masked against viral infection, having donned a standard mask with ear loops so she could slip them off briefly when need-be.
“Jesus Christ!” Hermina said.
Goines sensed a sort of duh! in the manner of her answer, an of course, who else?
He said, as kindly as he could, “Was that the first time anyone asked you a question like that?”
”Yes!” Hermina acknowledged, but refrained from asking a return question.
Goines thought it was maybe part of her training in hair styling. Don’t get personal.
Starting to pay for the haircut, which Goines thought excellent and efficiently carried out, he asked Hermina whether all of the tip would go to her, or have to be shared.
She assured him it would be hers alone. He paid by credit card and added several dollars.
Hermina gave him a coupon for $9 off his next haircut.
“I’ll ask for you, Hermina,” Goines said, making sure his smile showed in the eyes above his mask.
| Copyright © 2022 by Moristotle |
Thank you Goins for being tolerant despite your own views. Hermina is, obviously, Catholic, as are most Hispanics, though not all. They believe and that's it. I don't agree with almost all they say, but they are sincere, loving people. It has been a custom for thousands of years to wish your god's blessing on someone you like; I don't expect we'll change that any time soon. In the meantime, like Goins, the least we can do is respect each other regardless.
ReplyDeleteI recognize your misspelling of “Goines” from earlier anonymous comments; I feel I should know who you are. I’m not bothered so much by the “Goins” misspelling itself, but I would like the poster artist David Lance Goines, who inspired the Goines character’s name, to be respected.
ReplyDelete