....South. Ravinia


I spoke to Darlene Richie on her birthday. At least I thought that was the one I was speaking to...I get mixed up with those Johnson girls. She was quick to point this out. She said, "I don't think you ever really learned our names." "Daion," I started, "Darlene," she corrected.
711 So. Ravinia Ave., an address that is forever etched into my memory. I practically lived there during my teen years. Wardell, Lucille, Don, Dale, Doyle, Vickie, Daion, Darlene....all part of my family yet the names of the girls escaped me, or for some reason I just could not keep them in order with their faces.
I told Darlene that it was not my fault that I forgot their names. In fact I didn't forget their names, I just couldn't attach the right names to the correct sister. There was Darlene, Daion and Vickie. No, that's not right. Vickie was first. Vickie? What 'th?
(i before e except after c)

Yesterday I sat in a booth at the Bamboo Palace chatting with Charles Richie, Darlene's husband.
The place was filling up quickly as the noon crowd moved in to take advantage of the authentic ancient Chinese buffet food such as the fried Asian chicken wings and "Ming Dynasty pot stickers."

Ancient Chinese music played overhead as CNN blared from the two 52" TVs competing with the authentic Chinese music. CNN told us of another shooting at a Federal Building.

Over the noise, I told Charles of my trouble with the Johnson girl's names, and the conversation I had with his wife, Darlene. I told him that I would probably blog about this soon. First, I added, I am going to memorize their names.

Then it happened!

Innocently, Charles said, "Stan, that's not their names. That is their middle names. Vickie is the only one who goes by her first name."

All sound ceased. The televisions turned themselves off. Chopsticks were dropped. Three undercover police officers shoved their chairs back and pulled their guns. All customers were frozen in time, mid-bite. Noodles hung in mid air.

Charles continued, "Stan, they are Vickie Dian, Linda Darlene and Wanda Daion. Just call them, Dian, Wanda and Linda...that way you won't forget."

Charles wiped his mouth with an ancient Chinese napkin and left.

Oh, eventually we all returned to normal. Guns were holstered, televisions came back on, chopsticks clacked, noodles dropped, biters bit, but no one ever spoke of that day again.