Shoeless Joe's

Cocaine Princess here.

Across the street from was the Godiva Chocolate store. I popped in and purchased a few sinful desserts to satisfy my sweet tooth. I always ignore the cravings but that day I thought, why not, I deserve it, special exception. I bought a small box of dark chocolate-raspberry truffles and a piece of almond bark. When we left 'A' and I still could not decide where to eat. Wait let me rephrase that, 'A' and I still could not agree where to eat.

The two of us must have walked around the block twice before finding a bench to sit on. 30minutes had passed, my almond bark was finished and we still couldn't agree on a place. 'You still want to go to the movies?' 'A' asked. 'Yes I still want to see The Mummy 3. I've waited long enough,' I replied. 'So we'll do dinner and a movie, we'll catch the late show.' 'That's fine with me but that doesn't answer the question of where to eat?' I said back 'I have another question, where do you want to see the movie?' 'A' asked back. The area we were in has a cinema that only plays french-artsy-type films you never hear about because you never see the trailer for those films on TV. (Those films really don't interest me) Finding another cinema was a cinch. Not to far off was the Cineplex. Surrounding the place was a village of restaurants. At that point I was feeling a little tired and decided to give up the battle and let my sister choose the place. (I should have just let her choose from the beginning) And what did she choose? Shoeless Joe's. Upon entering inside I noticed right away five plasma screen TVs strategically placed so no matter where you sat the customer had a good view. They were all airing some sport thing. I asked the hostess if there were any tables available on the patio and thankfully she said yes. I felt like sitting outside (not just because I didn't want to hear the loud cheering) but so I could bask in the night air. It was a beautiful, hot, muggy summer night and the sight of the bougainvilleas hanging in the baskets nearby added even more beauty. Each time I see bougainvilleas I'm transported back to Cartagena. You'll see them everywhere especially in the walled part of the city. I was there almost a year ago with Valentina hanging out on Bocagrande Beach. Isn't it amazing how the littlest thing can trigger your memory to a moment where you actually believe you're there? You can feel the mood and the atmosphere of that moment and even remember how it made you feel. Time stands still as you reminisce.

The restaurant was packed and the food was quite delicious. For the main course I ordered penne con pollo. Normally I keep my distance from fattening dishes but considering the 24 horrid days I went through I decided to give myself some leniency and not feel guilty. Another special exception. (I'm back to my diet and exercise regime. It's bye bye fattening foods, hello healthy foods. And NO special exceptions or excuses) 'It's good to be out isn't it?' 'A' asked. 'More than you know,' I replied 'No one's more happier than me you're well again. Promise me you won't ignore your body. Pain is your body's way of telling you something is wrong.' 'I promise,' I replied.

Midway through diner I received a text from Valentina.

Where R U?

At a restaurant.

Where?

Shoeless Joe's

Ugh! SABS choice?
(SABS: short for Switched At Birth Sister)

Yes.

Hire a P.I.

?

To locate your real sister.

I giggled a little and looked up at 'A' 'I'm not even going to ask,' she stated.

The movie started at 10. We were done by 9:30 and walked on over and bought the usual movie food, jumbo popcorn, a coke and then found our seats. When I placed my drink in the cup holder two things happened. One, the stench of onions began to go up my nose. I casually turned around and the guy behind me was eating a sub loaded with onions. Someone get me an air fresher I said to myself. Two, exhaustion set in. It was like someone was pulling my eyelids shut, usually it's the opposite. Out of all the days and out of all the places this is where I began to feel sleepy. I just wanted to get into bed. But I managed to stay conscious to watch the film.

We didn't get home until after 1am. I slept in on Sunday morning.

******

I received numerous responses to the question I posted about Lawyer-Guy in the entry before this and published a select few. All I asked was a simple 'yes' or 'no.' Instead some of you guys down south wrote me detailed descriptions of what you thought might have happened in the suite.

I'm still not going to tell whether I did or didn't but I will say this,

Everything I have done and every decision I have made comes from listening to my heart. I absolutely have no regrets. How can I when the heart is always right. I can honestly say that I can look back in ten years even twenty years from now and confidently say 'I made the right decision.'

I've never been one to listen to my head. It's never a good idea anyways to listen to your head, that pesky thing called logic comes in the way and messes everything up.

XOXOXOXO,
Cocaine Princess