DC Follies, the Sequel

(source cuz i am too lazy to take pics: public-domain-images.com)

Hello there twinklestars! In talking with a good friend yesterday about our "jean jackets with bling" years, I suddenly remembered I never told you the Rest Of The Story!!

You know, the one where I'm in Washington DC and in true Roo fashion ask Newt Gingrich if he is familiar with the area?

Oh yeah, there's more.

In our our previous episode , we left Roo & Her Partners in Crime traipsing through the streets of DC in an attempt to find the Other Important Building wherein a Press Conference of Magnificent Proportion was to occur. 

Editor's note: oh alright, it's me, I'm Roo, and now I'm just admitting it, and will here on out call myself me or I, rather than referring to myself in the third person, because calling myself Roo all the time is beginning to freak me out a little.

(wow awesome shot by Peter Griffin on Publicdomainpictures.net)

Ahem. Anyway~

Upon finding the other important place (which turned out to be not very difficult after all; just ask a cabbie-they know EVERYTHING), the Crew scattered and dispersed into the throng of suits, reporters, aides and pages. I scanned the room for a spot where i could observe everything while looking less conspicuous and more official. Like A Person In The Know.

Looking rather overwhelmed by all of the chaos and cameras, and standing alone in a corner, I spied a petite woman with dark hair. I imagined this woman to be wishing with all of her might that she could blend in with the walls, for you see, she was wearing a floral shift dress to the knees, boots, and a denim jacket.

To a high Powered Press Conference.

Well. We've all been there, right? Feeling completely out of place and wishing someone, anyone would come save us from our own embarrassment?

(Or maybe when dressing in the dark early in the morning when running late, it is a 98.8% certainty that one navy pump will be inexplicably matched up with one black one?)

Been there. Done that. Wore the t shirt inside out.

So, I am wondering how it came to be that she is the only one, even among persons in various degrees of patterned bathing rituals, working the TV cameras, wearing denim.

Whatever the reason, I was not going to let this poor woman feel out of place. No. This land is our land, by golly. Give us your tired, your poor, your under-dressed! The people's government, and she is a people, no matter what she wears! 

So I walk over to the timid denim jacket lady and strike up casual conversation, barely giving her a chance to answer. "Hi! How are you? First time in DC? Did you get to see any of the sights? Cold enough for you? Do you have kids? How many? Do they have interests? Piano and soccer, good for them!"

I keep her talking.

I notice people circling. I give them my best "back off!" stare. You know how the press can be. And DC isnt known as the city of hospitality. Good thing I'm wearing The Suit Of Armor. 

Out of the corner of my eye I see Binnie, frantically motioning to me from the back of the room. I wave and give her the thumbs up. I think perhaps its about to start and she wants me to snag a good seat up front. I ask Jean Jacket if she would like to join us. She politely declines.

I make my way to the seat just as not yet Vice President Joe Biden arrives, and the air in the room physically changes and a cliched hush falls upon the crowd, and everyone stops what they are doing, except cameras are popping and snapping and rolling and microphones appear out of nowhere and he begins to speak. He gives us background on the Violence Against Women Act (he was instrumental in the passage of the original bill, fifteen years ago last September), and informs us of new partnerships between nonprofits and private companies to upgrade technology for the national domestic violence hotline.

It is at this point that it dawns on me. Oh my goodness. Jean Jacket. She is a survivor of domestic violence, who has come to tell us her story. Survivors share their compelling stories of horror and triumph, the struggle and journey to healing and freedom. I look at her again, still standing in the corner, sort off to the right of the podium, and I smile encouragingly, marveling at her poise and her quiet strength and dignity. 

She gives me a one eyebrow raise and a sort of half smile.

And now not yet VP Biden is talking about struggle, and the hardships these women face, and the harrowing violent experiences they go through. I am thinking he is being a little insensitive to her plight, and hoping he doesn't accidentally traumatize her before bringing her to the podium.

But no- now he's speaking of music, and how music is often the best advocate for garnering empathy and support for hard to discuss issues. In particular he mentions "Broken Wing" by Martina McBride. I nod knowingly, trying to pick out the melody in my head. I'm not much of a country music listener, but i am sure i have heard it. The woman who sings it is-

she's very-

she's petite. And wears a great big ol diamond the size of Texas on her finger.

and on the day i met her, looked elegant in a denim jacket and a little floral dress and boots.

(Shine on Ms. McBride, shine on)

And that is why I live in Florida.

The end.

Comments

[kj]

WHAT A STORY, ROO!!! i couldn't stop reading for a moment. i'm thinking, IS SHE A POLITICIAN? THE MAYOR OF ASHEVILLE? WHO WHO?

i could say alot more about this, like how much i like how you write, admire your energy, etc, but i have my own agenda:

your comment on my blog. gulp and sniff. thank you, roo. and about this:

"I read this as a triumphant declaration of freedom, more, than sorrow..."

you are totally right. and not just freedom, but finally, time to walk away and let the past be what it really was. a huge relief. thank you for knowing that. i love you too, roo.

and the thanksgiving day story: you HAVE to write it. write it, please! i want to read it. don't make me wait until i need magnifying glasses.

thanks for the love and thanks for the laugh. we're connected and i'm glad.

love
kj

[A Forest Frolic]

Roo, you are hilarious...meeting all these people and not knowing who they are (totally sounds like me, girl...totally ;) How funny, that you chatted it up with her, hahah.

Seriously though...when is your book coming out? You do write marvelously if I do say so myself.

Jamie :)

[McKayla]

Hey Roo! Thanks for your comment! Yes, I showed Ginger her reflection and she got all wide eyed and smiled. She still wants to be a cat, but for now she's glad she's Ginger! ;)
Anyway...
Teeheee, that is a funny story!

[Stephanie]

omg! What a great story...I thought she was going to turn out to be not then vice president Biden's wife or something.

x..x

[Deborah]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHahahahahahahahahahahaha!
HA! OMGosh Roo, only you! If only you had Milo with you. Now that's a story to tell to the grandkids one day. **kisskiss** Deb

[shibori girl]

*snork*

You are a sketch, Rhonda-Roonie. I was wondering if we'd ever get to read part deux, and you surely didn't disappoint! Well worth the wait, I'd say.

Thanks for the giggles. :D

xoxo,

Kate

[linda@LimeintheCoconut]

...A writer like no other. You have such wit and whimsy and soul. Yep. Thanks for your warm words. They were felt.

[Deborah]

Awe, Rooty Tooty, I just read your comment on The Magical One's blog and had to hop over to say HELLOOOOOOOOOOooooo. You are so adorable. And good and kind. And I like you a lot. How old is Cory and why is he the Lost Boy? Sending you hugs and kisses, and a parade with 20 tubas, unicorns marching in unison, baby bunnies bouncing out of a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. **kisses** Deb

[Mrs. Magpie]

LOL! I am absolutely convinced we are twins separated at birth! Ask me about our wedding reception where a friend of mine had a date with Vanna White, and I didn't know who she was. And I, too, have worn my clothes inside out and live in Florida. Do you think there is something in the water???

I don't know where you are, but if we carry through with a blogger tea party, I sure wish you could come! We're looking at the tea room in Plant City (go back two posts of mine). Would love for you to join us. It "might" be in the fall. ;-)

XO,

Sheila :-)