Annie Rhiannon

Thursday, March 31, 2011

An Old Brown Briefcase

I packed light for America: jeans, boots, three checked shirts, and an old brown briefcase stuffed with dollar bills. Cathy had given me the money at a small railway station in northern England, the day we parted ways again.

“I can't take a thousand pounds from you,” I'd said, when she told me she wanted to lend me enough to get away.

“But you have to,” she said, handing me the case. “I got it all out in single dollar bills and they won't exchange them again.”

This year is the twentieth year of our friendship and I cried when I got on the train. She kissed me on the forehead, then stood there on the platform until we'd disappeared around the bend.

16 comments:

  1. I like your new blog design. And I like this post. And I like that you're going to visit Fiona and David, and that you only brought three shirts with you. I hope you're going to spend some of those dollars on clothes, but then again, I would. Bisous.

    ReplyDelete

  2. If you're on the west coast and want to swing by Vancouver, BC drop me a line.

    ReplyDelete

  3. She's a star that girl.

    Good luck in America.

    Richard

    ReplyDelete

  4. Good old Cath, she's very special. Take really good care Annie, & take some time out to heal. Carla Xxxxx

    ReplyDelete

  6. I hope you find treasure, Annie. Gold in the hills at least. xx

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous31.3.11

    You're not stopping by Wales on your way out west? Dave needs to teach you another song on the guitar to take with you ;) EW

    ReplyDelete

  8. Excellent. Will you please look up Sami and report back? Bon voyagee, as Bugs Bunny used to say.

    ReplyDelete

  9. Friends like that, keeps us going, even when we can't....

    ReplyDelete

  10. Best of luck in America. Please keep blogging won't you?

    ReplyDelete

  11. Safe travels, cowgirl.

    ReplyDelete

  12. You're going to do it again, aren't you? Hide in your Mum's attic and concoct an imaginary journey. Like when you pretended to go to Tibet. As if.

    Have fun. If you see Sarah Palin, pinch her bum.

    ReplyDelete

  13. Bon voyage Annie, I hope the next stretch of the road brings all you desire. Tx

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous1.4.11

    Annie, you are luminous. An inspiration to everyone who reads your blog. I can’t imagine a universe where you don’t end up with a perfect happy ending, and so you shouldn’t worry no matter what. Have fun. Drink lots. Dance on tables. Go on adventures. Then blog about them for us.

    - A complete stranger who has followed your blog devotedly for well over a year now.

    ReplyDelete

  15. thanks everyone xx

    Green of Eye: Thanks! Yes I'm on the west coast. I'm figuring out which direction to head in but if it's north then I'll definitely be in touch. Would be great to meet you.

    Richard and Carla: isn't she just

    Rosemary: I think it's for travel and food and accommodation. But there is the world's biggest cowboy boot store in town.

    Conan: I stayed with Sami a few years ago – great memories.

    Anon: thank you :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Emily5.4.11

    Heart broken, footsore, world weary?
    Say no more.
    Find a corner, pick a pew, take a note
    And sing it through.

    Don't sing the blues too long Annie-o. You're tougher than you think.
    Wishing you magnificent boots.
    Emily

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)