Louisiana-Bound (2008)

Part 12 of 40: After Lagneaux's at Dan's

At Dan's place again, we were the first to arrive there. So we went to bed! I'm joking, of course, about going to bed. But I had a great couch to sit on and read my new Cajun book. Also there was time to write about the day and observe the conversations. The gang flowed in during that time. Ten of the restaurant people showed up. Jane, Philomena, and Jessica couldn't make it on that occasion. They still had some catching up to do. But we would see them often.

Melanie talked (tactile) to John Lee who arrived within ten minutes. But John Lee needed to talk with Dan, so the conversation ended quickly in the kitchen as John Lee and Dan disappeared for some business talk.

Melanie told me later that John still wanted to talk with her. Soon after they had resumed their conversation in the living room, Tom cut in and started talking to John. Melanie left the two of them and headed into the dining room to chat with Betty.

After a few minutes, John simply told Tom, "I was having a personal conversation with Melanie when you interrupted our conversation. I'm going to go talk to Melanie now." And as soon as he concluded his conversation with Tom, he headed right over to where Melanie was sitting and soon they were conversing back and forth using tactile ASL.

Mark was bouncing around and came over and spoke with me a couple of times. The first time for about 30 minutes. Mark told me in detail how the city bus broke down in Atlanta, Georgia, and by the time he got to the airport, it was too late to catch his flight. He was delayed for five hours and arrived in Lafayette at about 4:00 p.m. Concerned about his dog Windy, who was on Mark's mind, our conversation went in that direction. I think Mark said that Windy was 17 years old. That's Windy Gasaway. I love telling people that.

And Mark (Illy the Clown) probably was under some pressure trying to get his plane. Now he could relax. But not for long. He would be staying with John Lee for a few days at John's hotel. And for a couple days, at least Mark would be on cloud nine. Excited about being in Lafayette and enjoying himself, he would keep busy! And that is an understatement! He often shared some of his experiences with me.

After talking with Melanie, John Lee came by and asked me if I was bored. I explained briefly to him all the options I had, like reading, writing, and stuff like that. He seemed pleased. Again I made a mental note thinking about how well John Lee carries himself.

A nice person, John Lee. I knew him from emails on DB-Goldinpoetry and DB-Spousal-Support, but now I had an opportunity to meet and observe John Lee in person and in action. I liked the guy rather quickly after Melanie told me a little more about him.

I think John Lee has a plan on how he conducts himself. He is not perfect! Not yet, anyway, lol. But overall he seems destined to help deafblind folks in the near future. Maybe he will seek an office in the AADB organization. He also has a couple causes he will share with those who show interest.

John Lee and Mark left for the night. It usually was Yenter who drove them. Melanie and I went to bed. Hey, it wasn't easy. Tom and Dan were tactile signing to beat the band right in the middle of the floor under the light. Our pullout couch would go right to where they were standing. For a few minutes, Melanie and I waited patiently while they continued signing, being totally oblivious to us. At that point, Melanie tapped both Dan and Tom on the shoulder and asked them to move into the dining room which they willingly did. I think they got the picture as soon as we started turning some of the living room lights off. It had been a long day and we were more than ready to turn in for the night. But what a day!

Written by Harvey A. Bond and Ipo
May 9, 2008