Monthly Archives: February 2024

Just a Smile

Candid Photo © 2011 Stephen Bruno, Washington

I was living in a nice one-bedroom apartment in California when I noticed a young woman about the same age who lived in the complex. I had never seen her with another person, and I was single. We occasionally passed each other while walking to the parking lot, and I attempted to greet her with a smile and hello. She never responded and kept looking ahead and walking. I was determined to get a hello or a smile eventually, and each time we passed, I tried connecting, and she never responded.

Eventually, one morning, she smiled as she continued walking. A few weeks later, she smiled and said hi after my greeting.  I was encouraged by the progress and perhaps a potential friendship or more.

A few months later, on a sunny California weekend afternoon, I was working on an oil painting on my easel in the living room when I heard a knock on the door. I opened the door, and there she stood in a beautiful sundress, hair coiffed nicely with an engaging smile. I was so surprised that I remained at the door, silent, with a gradual emerging smile.

She asked if I could do her a favor. After finding my voice, I assured her I would. She asked me to follow her back to her apartment and I realized she lived closer than I thought. She pointed to her upstairs apartment on the third level. I was hopeful she was inviting me in for a conversation. With a knowing, concealed grin, I believed my determination to have her smile and say hi was finally making a difference.

She then pointed to several large boxes behind some bushes at the bottom of the stairs. She pleadingly asked if I would please carry them to her third-floor apartment. With a sigh, of course, I agreed, and as I lifted the first box, I was surprised by how heavy it was.

Looking down a bit, she told me they were a complete cast iron weight set she had purchased to surprise her boyfriend on his coming birthday. I was grateful to be in excellent shape from running many miles daily, and I wished I had added some upper body building. Carrying the last large box and trying not to look as exhausted as I felt, I placed it on the floor.

She offered a grateful thanks while giving me her biggest smile yet.

Slowly walking back to my apartment, looking forward to resting on the couch, I just shook my head and smiled.



Neighbors

Candid Photo

Many years ago, after my military service, I enrolled in the college I was drafted from and moved into an apartment in the university district in California. At the time, one of my best friends mentioned she knew the stoners who lived next door. I had a full load of classes and seldom saw my neighbors. Knowing that the meaning of a stoner is a person who habitually uses drugs or alcohol, I believed they had an addiction. A few months later, my friend asked me if I met her friends, the nice Stoner family.

Hippies & a Bull Snake

Bull Snake © 2016 Stephen Bruno, Saguaro Lake, Mesa Arizona

While I was in my 20s, I was enjoying an outing at Saguaro Lake, Mesa, Arizona, with my wife in our 26’ boat. While exploring along the shore, I observed a Bull Snake gliding along the water, appearing to be exhausted. I carefully picked the slippery snake up and placed it in a large white bucket.  We continued on our way to the marina to fill the tank with fuel.

After refueling, I untied the line from the dock when several hippie-looking young men and women approached us, reminding me fondly of pleasant times in the ’60s. A young man asked if we would take them to pick up their friends on the other side of the lake. I agreed.

We arrived at the beach, where many of their partially dressed friends quickly filled the small boat beyond legal capacity.

I chatted with a few of our passengers and docked the boat back at the marina. Everyone was gracious with their thanks as they stepped on the dock and wandered off. One of the young men handed me $20. I said it was unnecessary as I had plenty of fuel and was happy to help them. He strongly insisted and walked away. I noticed the empty bucket and turned to show my wife the money. The snake was gone. I guessed the money was for the Bull Snake they took.