UNEXPECTED SAVIOR

Sitting in my car in front of a block of neat stone houses, 4 to a nest, I ponder my dilemma. I remember when construction began here, right after WWII. Mostly returning service people bought with government assistance. The lawns now are lush, manicured. Shrubs have grown tall, colorful. A few flowering mimosas, cherry trees have reached majority.

This section of Tampa was all white at first. When one family had to move north and sold to a Negro family, another white family followed. It took five years to find a good balance, for neighbors to be friends, mingle, share. It was, and is, a small model for a big world.

A large, dark skinned man, about 45 I imagine, walks slowly towards my car. He’s neatly dressed in a brown houndstooth checked jacket, tan trousers, brown loafers. He taps on my window. I’m startled but not panicked. I hit the open button and the window glass slides down. ‘May I help you, Ma am? Are you looking for someone? I know all the residents here.’ ‘Maybe you can, Sir. You must have noticed my front windshield and radiator, haven’t you?’ ‘How could I miss the mess, Ma am?’ ‘Well, I didn’t expect this coming thru Tampa. I hit a swarm of love bugs that have clogged my radiator and covered my windshield. My wiper won’t budge nor will the bugs. I have nothing to scrape them off, have no idea what is in my engine and how to fix it. So, Mr., if you can help me in any way, I will be eternally grateful.’

‘May I put my sport coat inside your car? I’d hate to ruin it.’ He hands it to me thru the window and asks me to release the hood, something I have never done. ‘How? Where is the release, Mr, oh, what’s your name?’ ‘George, George Hanson. Ma am.’ ‘ Stop with the Ma am already, George. I’m Lilly Val. Just call me Lilly.’ He shows me the hood release and how easy it is to lift. The noise scares me silly. ‘Look overhere. See this white funnel? Open it. Your window washer fluid is empty. That’s why your blades won’t wash the windows. Do you have any fluid in the trunk?’ ‘I don’t know, George. The service station where I get gas always checks these things out for me.’ ‘Stay where you are, Lilly. I have some in my car.’ He returns with a gallon of turquoise colored water. I stand right next to him to watch what he does and then slam the cap tight. ‘Close the hood, Lily.’ It drops and sounds to me like I broke the entire car.

From his pant’s pocket, George hands me a bottle of spray water and tells me to spray the dead and dying love bugs on the window until they loosen. Most quickly slide down the side of the car. It looks like a few are still making love and are not ready to die. Those George squirts off and sprays more water to wash the gook away. Then with a dry scrub brush he attacks the radiator cover. What a dirty job but he stays spotless.

‘Lilly, get in the car. Start it. Turn on your windshield wiper. Let’s see if all is well,’ It is. He gives me good advice. ‘The next time you are near a service center, a car dealership, buy a radiator screen, It isn’t expensive and is easy to attach. Put it on before the bugs come in spring. ‘

‘Mr. Hanson, George, how can I thank you?’ I take $20 out of my purse and hand it to him. He pays me back with a sour, snarled face and refuses the money. Indignity pours from his carbon colored eyes. I meant well, didn’t mean to insult him. That’s for sure!

After a slight pause, George changes his mind. ‘Lilly, you can pay me with the pleasure of your company. Look in the front window. See Tula, my wife peeping out? She’s wondering who the white lady is I’ve been helping and if she will join us for some of the best darn walnut pancakes in the world. Tula doesn’t use any kind of mix. Please join us.’‘Thank you but no thank you. I have to get going.’ ‘Going where that is better than here?’ ‘I want to hurry and get a radiator net so those crazy lovin’ ants don’t attack my car again.’

‘Lilly, be honest. Are you afraid to come in, hesitant being in a black man’s house?’ I have no time to reply. He calls loudly to Tula. ‘Tula, come out here. Meet Lilly Val. Whatcha been doing all this time I’m helping her out?’ ‘George, Honey, I’ve just be waiting for you to bring her in. My walnut pancakes are just itching to fry. Come on in, Lilly Val. You’ve never been treated to pancakes like mine. You might want to buy a house down the street and come often. Our home is completely integrated, in case our color bothers you.’ ‘One more stupid remark like that, Tutu, and you will have extra pancakes to eat by yourselves. Our teen son is adopted and very dark skinned.

Our daughter is white as snow and is Jewish. Come meet them.’ George offers me his arm and we walk together into the large kitchen and a new friendship.