tonight i bought rootbeer. not for me (though i wouldn't have minded it), but for dave. for christmas. the old-timey IBC bottles. i bought them at tops, local grocery extraordinaire. ran into an old teacher and her husband, my sister peggy's old boss. we exchanged pleasantries and handshakes and hugs. the words ireland, writing, freelance, nashville, and horse all came up in conversation, just before merry christmas and goodbye.
in the checkout line, i was perusing the latest issue of people when the greyish-haired woman behind me asked about my rootbeer. "is that your favorite kind of rootbeer?" she asked. not wanting to have to explain that the rootbeer was, in fact, a gift, i simply replied "yes".
"why is it your favorite rootbeer?"
i put down my people. was this woman a rootbeer connoisseur? salesperson? mrs. IBC? i decided to oblige her:
"well, it's affordable and it's smooth. very rich flavor, you know?" (i'm just making this stuff up as i go, of course. remnants of my previous life as a salesgirl.)
"oh, is it affordable?" she continued, placing her thousands of groceries on the conveyer belt, behind my one item.
"it's not bad; $3.29 for a sixpack."
she smiled. "i used to make rootbeer, that's why i am curious."
i smiled. "oh yeah? why'd you stop?"
her eyes grew sad. "my dad and i used to make rootbeer together. that was a long time ago." she sighed. "a very long time ago."
i looked down at the IBC and back up at her. "well, maybe you can start again, or at least pick up a sixback of this stuff for inspiration."
she smiled and said something like "maybe" before offering me her discount card for possible savings on my purchase (unfortunately it wasn't on sale after all). we then thanked each other and said our merry christmases and goodbyes and i was on my way to shannon and dave's, soon to hold beatrice.
i love homemade rootbeer. as well as IBC (but i think i mostly just like the bottles).
merry christmas to you, annie.
Posted by: bethany at December 25, 2002 11:41 AM
Happy Christmas, Anne.
Today I listened to Rosie Thomas and had lunch with a friend whose mum lives in Crawfordsburn.
Good memories.
Posted by: James at December 25, 2002 05:11 PM
i actually prefer cream soda to root beer. anyway, very cool "divine appointment." i had one the other day, will have to tell you about it sometime........swapped a 10 minute massage for a free gourmet cookie :)
Merry Christmas! See you soon :)