CANTERBURY

Backyard Reflections Me and Marlene

Recently, I ventured into my mosquito-infested backyard to check on the dwarf sunflowers I planted earlier this spring. No blooms were in evidence. Had they flowered while I was away, or were the seeds actually duds? I hope it was the former, because I bought them from noted Maine supplier, Johnny’s Seeds, and they are usually very reliable.

The lack of blossoms brought to mind an old photo of Marlene I have kicking around, in which she sports a fashion-forward, flowered apron, and holds a tray with a banana that is past its prime. Even though this picture is from long ago, I was immediately thrown back to our time together in Canterbury. Marlene and I worked a variety of menial jobs then - me, at a sleepy bookstore and a dubious Mexican restaurant, Cafe des Amis, which microwaved all of its food. Marlene, at a Whitstable bingo parlour and the aptly named Pizza Express, a popular Canterbury eatery that offers moderately tasty fare. I think this photo references Marlene’s ongoing struggles with demanding customers and unsupportive management. Waiting on people and negotiating the fraught world of food service certainly developed vital, lifelong skills for us both. And it was always fun to grouse with someone in the know!

Did you know that there are over 70 varieties of mosquitos in Brooklyn? As I swatted at a West Nile-carrying Culex (or was it an Asian Tiger Mosquito, a recent newcomer to our fair borough), I recalled that biting bugs did not seem to be a problem back then in Kent. Whether enjoying an open-air pint at the Neptune or crossing campus to catch an evening performance of Marlene’s Abba cover band at Keynes, no biting bugs hindered our progress or infringed upon our good times. As an Agnetha stand-in, Marlene did not have to worry that an unsightly, inflamed bug bite would mar her lively and savvy depiction

of the Swedish superstar. Thank you for the music. Those were the days, my friend!

I frowned as I stooped to pick up several pieces of trash. The block is ringed round with buildings, and I always marvel at the amount of rubbish that floats through our walled fortress. One piece was the scrap of a bill that included personal information. It reminded me of Marlene’s strong commitment to feminism, which was revealed when the college assumed (with layers upon layers of misogyny) that because Martin and Marlene had the same last name, he was in charge of her, and directed correspondence to her via him.

Her immediate and strong reaction ensured that the University of Kent will never subject another student to that mistake!

As I stumbled over the aging cedar recliner in the center of the backyard, my frown deepened, and not because of the wood, which contains natural oils and is especially resistant to damage caused by bugs, decay or water. I frowned because Marlene’s birthday is imminent, and we should all be able to be together to celebrate. Alas, that joy is currently prohibited by the global pandemic. In the meantime, I shall be content with the many fond memories I have of my time with Marlene, and wish her a happy birthday from afar! *Note: lovingly written in the style of The Bethel Citizen, a regional Maine weekly promoted as a news-source, comprised mainly of ads and local gossip columns. – KRIS PERCIVAL, BROOKLYN, NY