OF IMPORTANCE
Today I was mistaken for a librarian. I’m not of course. I’m simply a patron. A woman was looking for the place to donate a few books. She had been directed to another desk and found me instead. I can understand why she would be confused or deceived. I was sitting alone by a set of low shelves, a computer screen nearby adding to the image. She saw me and said, Excuse me (hesitation)…Oh! You’re a patron!
I smiled my smile of understanding, patriarchal privilege.
She continued, Well, I’ll just leave these here.
The woman placed the books carefully on top of one of the low book shelves not too close to me.
She returned soon apparently having discovered the correct place for book donations. We again made eye contact and I nodded my approval as she scooped up the few books and flew away.
This brief encounter flung me through space and time to 1995 and Symphony Hall in Boston. My girlfriend had been awarded complimentary tickets for the Boston Pops performance that evening. We had front row seats right in the middle. John Williams was conducting. The featured artist was a cabaret singer of import; her name is lost to me.
The singer’s voice and stage presence were extraordinary. After several songs with the Pops accompanying her and John Williams conducting she left the stage. It appeared to be an unscheduled intermission. John Williams left as well and he returned ahead of her. Between the time he came back from the wings to when she did he appeared to be somewhat distressed. He stood near the front of the stage looking first over to the wing and then out at the audience. Finally he came closer to the front edge of the stage and, looking directly at me, mouthed, She’ll be right back!
I gave him a kind nod of approval and an understanding smile. He immediately appeared to relax.
Soon the singer returned and all was good. I was glad to be of service and available.
G. M. Goodwin
22 February 2016
Playing Fair and Being Kind 