Like a Good Neighbor

I am supposed to be job searching right now.  I am not minimizing the importance of gainful employment.  To do so would as a direct result minimize the importance of food and shelter.  I am a big fan of both food and shelter.  However, jobs for which I qualify seem to be far and few between.  I am going to take a break from banging my head against the proverbial wall and tell you about Jean.

I met Jean over 5 years ago when I moved into the apartment across the hall from her.  Jean was going to be my friend whether I wanted her to be or not.  Having a conversation with Jean is the equivalent of a interrogation.  She will back you up against the wall, fire off her unique point of view, all the while peppering you with personal questions that you answer for fear of the result if you are to refuse.  I was a 30-something married woman with a three year old and had no time for the crazy senior neighbor across the hall.

Jean is the real life version of Magda from There's Something About Mary.  Her skin is permanently tanned so dark, her eyes seem to glow.  After a lifetime of tanning, her hide is browned and wrinkled.  Gravity has probably not helped the situation.  She still wears her bikini.  Year round.  If it is above 60 degrees, Jean is out in the parking lot on a chaise lounge, slathered in baby oil because she "has no color and needs vitamin D".     She will lay out there in her personal parking spot, chain smoking Pall Mall 100's and reading books on astrology. 

When pool season came around, I got drafted into being Jean's pool buddy.  As I applied sunscreen to myself and my daughter, Jean would explain to me that sunscreen does not work and we would get sick without enough Vitamin D.  When I suggested milk as a supplement she explained the hormones are too harmful.   She would excuse herself at 2pm to take her 40 some vitamin supplements.  She was probably mumbling something about how the Indians are overtaking America as she walked around a family to leave the pool.

But within the four plus years living across the hall from Jean, my marriage fell apart and my life became an obstacle course of survival.  Jean never judged and always helped.  When my husband left she said "Good Riddance" and offered every assistance.  I never lacked without a sitter, a shoulder to  lean on,  good advice mixed with advice that made absolutely no sense.    I would sit with Jean in the parking lot on warm days and talk about whatever.  I was never alone while I had Jean. 

I moved about a year ago and have kept touch with Jean. I just spoke to her in January.  Then I lost my job and have talked to no one.  I ran into her Wednesday at the Kmart.  I asked her how she was doing.  She says "Not good.  I have terminal cancer with maybe 6 months to live.  I figure I should be gone  by August.  At least I get one more summer at the pool.  There is nothing I can do about it.  It is in my hand.  Look at  my life line...it ends at 70 and that is what I am going to be soon.  I don't want to live to 80 anyway".

We chatted for awhile.  Jean offered me much career advice.  I told her we would have lunch soon. She says neither of us have enough money for lunch.  I told her I would bring the bread and she could supply the peanut butter.  She agreed to that.  So that is my plan.  To spend as much of my unemployed time over at the parking lot with my friend, Jean because a good friend is hard to find and somet imes comes in a package you could have never expected.