"I'm From Texas And Visiting For The Mardi Gras!"

Just thinkin'...

 Good "early morning Monday" Day, y'all.

Looks like another change in the weather... again, and change comes in so many shapes and sizes!

About a week ago or so, I was having a late breakfast in New Orleans when a couple is escorted to a table across from me. When I saw the woman, I began to freak out. Oh my gosh, that face looks awfully familiar.

Attempting to not be too obvious, I scanned over her entire face. With long dirty blonde hair that surrounded and embraced her rather Germanic features, I tried to place that face in some strange foreign timeline.

Who is she? Where did she come from, I thought, as she turned toward me and smiled. Her blue eyes caught mine and then glanced away.

"You idiot," I said to no one but me... "Stop staring!"

With her husband's back toward me, I don't believe he even noticed our momentary contact. But, it wasn't enough.

It wasn't enough!

So I asked the waitress, who never seems to make any eye contact, to pour me another cup as I got up out of my seat feigning a run at the restroom.

From a distance, I could better see the whole woman, her posture, the graceful use of her hands assisting her expressions between bites. She appeared to be in her late thirties wearing jeans and an untucked blouse that flowed down past her waist.

She was beautiful...

I returned to my seat and continued with breakfast occasionally glancing over to the couple's conversation. If I was a woman, I'd be eavesdropping, but my brain could care less and was transfixed on the visual and not their chit chat.

Well into my fourth or fifth cup of coffee, her beau, her friend, her husband... whatever, excused himself and headed for the restroom. She then looked up at me...

"Well, put up or shut up, Ben," I said, once again to no one. Not knowing what to expect, I figured it was now or never.

"Excuse me Miss, you look awfully familiar. Is it possible that we know each other?" I asked.

Looking a bit taken back, she smiled and replied rather softly," I don't think so!"

Flustered, but determined I asked her, "Is your last name Vaz, by any chance?"

"No, she said. My name is Courtney... Courtney Taylor!"

Feeling like an idiot with a "come on" like that, I tried to ease my way out by asking, "Are you from New Orleans?"

"No, she replied rather casually and with complete composure.

"I'm from Texas and visiting for the Mardi Gras!"

"Cool, I said. "Laissez les bon temp rouler!"

"Nice talking to ya!"

Her friend returned as my waitress, with her head turned away, plopped down my receipt and walked away.

Later, seated in my car and looking back at the restaurant, I couldn't help but think about that woman which I was certain I knew. It suddenly came to me. I just knew I'd seen her before...

In another life?

You idiot, I thought. She looked exactly like a childhood friend, Susan Vaz. And, Susan has to be my age or older. What makes you think that she is somehow on this earth exactly as you perceived her to be... young!

Honest... I sometimes scare myself!

Third thoughtful cup, y'all.