MATTERS OF PERSPECTIVE

Each spring, the community picnic occurred in April at the

Meadows Recreation Area. People of the neighboring towns of

Bellerose and Queens Village would come together to spend the

afternoon catching up on the previous year’s activities and events.

Hot dogs and hamburgers were a guarantee. Corn-on-the-cob

was the big drawing card for the children. No knife or fork. Just

hold on to it. Watermelon would follow later.

The beginning of a warm time. The beginning of real fun.

School about to be done, and the sensations of summer were

about to begin.

         As bigger dreams would inevitably weaken the memories of

this annual day, a tattoo of sorts would remain in their aging

heads.

Thus, I put pen to paper. Listen closely to what I have to say.

For it is precious. . .

The egg toss event occurred at 4:00 pm. 

         “So, what happened?” Edith anxiously asked. “Who won?

Who was the runner up?”

  Claudia said, “Bla, bla, bla . . .”

         Betty argued. “What? No, that egg came too fast!”

         Chuck caressed Lenny as he said, “That’s crazy . . .

         Sandra responded, “Oh really, I don’t think so . . .

         Billy intervened, “It was obvious to me that . . .

         “You need glasses, you idiot,” Deb said wide-eyed. “You must

be blind!”

         “Looking at the likes of you, I would be glad if I was blind!”,

Jessica screamed.

         “That egg wasn’t even cooked,” Greg threw in.

“Oh, I saw it,” Melanie pitched in. “It was a small egg. How

could Sister Mary Eleanor have caught it as it was zooming

towards her? She could barely see it!”

“Well, if Sister Mary Eleanor would have kept her eyes on the

egg instead of Timmy, she might have caught it!” Garner said with

assurance. “She’s been eyeing my man for quite some time, you

know?”

“That’s ridiculous!” Rita yelled.

“The egg was way too small! Bill and Ted had an excellent egg.

Large, that’s why they won. It was large!” Evan argued.

“Who’s large?” Enrique turned and asked.

“It was a photo finish situation. So close!” Sally interjected.

“There is no photo finish in an egg toss contest,” Jack yelled

back to her.

“The horse races have a photo finish!”

“If Sally hadn’t disappeared down the nature trail with Jeremy,

she might have a valid opinion on any kind of finish!” Lenny

remarked.

Sister Mary Eleanor and Mike had come in second. Sister

Mary Eleanor was taken away for a quick spruce-up. The egg had

exploded upon her.

                                                         * * *

Alice woke up, yawned and stretched her arms. The younger

children were running  around the park looking for the Easter

eggs.

“Mom,” Jenny pleaded as she approached. “Angie said that I

took one of her eggs. The pink one.”

Alice looked into Jenny’s basket.

“No, you only have a green, blue and 2 orange.

Jenny ran off.

Alice dozed off again. 

                                                        * * *

The supermarket manager followed him out. An obvious heist

was in progress. There were three volunteer witnesses obtained

even before he left the store.

The police officer secured the culprit in his car, and then

returned to take a statement from each witness.

“He had three of the brown ones. Just picked them up and

kept walking. What would a grown man . . . ?” Mrs. Enman asked.

“I knew he was stealing them. He was acting very nervous,”

Mrs. Jackson stated.

“Describe what he had in his hands, please,” the officer asked

“Four of them. Orange.” Mrs. Jackson stated with a shake of

her head.

A stock boy stepped up. “He had one dozen eggs and a four-

pack of strawberry yogurt.”

“No, he had two dozen eggs and a pound of bacon,” Mrs.

Enman insisted. “All had brown cardboard wrappings.”

The stock boy succumbed as the customer is always right.

“She’s right. It was two dozen eggs and the bacon,” the stock

boy added. “With the brown and red wrapping.”

          “We are all friends in our small city. Maybe not now, maybe not yet. Maybe

soon, though. We should care for each other as people do in a

small community,” Alice spoke flatly. “As I told you, I saw that man

in the store and sensed that he was hurting. I told him I would

pay for his items. Then, he was gone. I’ll bet he was anxious to get

some food home for his kids. We are in the middle of a crisis. It’s a

time to help each other. I’ll give you twenty dollars to cover

whatever he had, whatever size, color, or shape. Here’s

another twenty dollars for the next poor soul,” Alice said sourly.

“That’s not necessary,” the manager replied.

“No, I think its very necessary, you pig!” Alice said angrily. I’ve

had bothering dreams, and now I wish them upon you! In fact, I

officially cast a spell,” Alice said with exhaustion.

Alice wearily left the supermarket.

Yes, American camaraderie existed country-wise for the most

part. Yet, there were always the carpetbaggers! They were the

wretches that jumped in to take advantage.

Alice passed the store manager two weeks later in the

supermarket. He looked horrible.

“Ma’m,” he approached. “Is that man o.k.?”

“I don’t know,” Alice responded. “I don’t know him yet, but

maybe down the line . . . Probably . . .

“For weeks now, I have had constant nightmares about eggs. I

toss and turn all night. I feel like hell!”, the manager said

with anxiety.

“I’m sure you do,” Alice said flatly. “You look like you do.”

“Will you help me? Please?” the manager asked.

“I’m a beginner. I am a good witch. Out to do good deeds, like

all people should. Don’t know yet how to reverse a spell. Give it a

few years, and maybe I will learn. It’s all about helping your fellow

man, your friend in need. You understand, now, I’m sure,” Alice  

replied. “Moving to Texas next month. People see things from

different perspectives there, but no matter, all are friends. Nice

place! Help each other, care for each other.”

Oh no! A few years? The manager thought with dread.

Sentence had been issued.

As ye sow, so shall ye reap.

Go forward . . .  

* * *

         Go forward two months.

         Jeff and Lenny moved through the huge British – American

antique store. Jeff spotted the odd green porcelain egg. He picked

it up for inspection.

         “That’s a handsome blue egg,” Lenny commented.

         The clerk wrapped the pale green egg into the green box.

         Lenny picked up the blue box and turned to leave.

         Color blindness.

  Yet another lesson from Mother Nature.