w/ Mulgrew Miller (right) at Birdland:
Looks a little like Aiko (but hair's too long):
But that’s what happens when you deal with people. Miscommunication. Its what keeps me employed as an insurance investigator. And in an international world, more mistakes occur than ever.
Luckily, the only harm this time was a bit of embarrassment and a shared laugh.
As we sat round the table, we backtracked to that night at Smalls.
“I was saying.."
(laughs) “I thought you were saying...”
Kimiko translated. We had a good time as we sipped our cocktails and investigated the cause of our misunderstanding; until Nyoko grudgingly admitted that--in the excitement of the New York moment--she may have jumped to the conclusion that I was a famous New York jazz musician.
Ha! The mistakes of international travel. Mistakes and oversights.
Speaking of oversights, I had no idea that Nyoko and Aiko were together until about halfway thru Dave Holland’s set. I mean, I knew they were together; but not..together together.
But midway thru the set the band performed a tune called Equality. They played it with a long, sensitive piano intro that Mulgrew Miller just hit out the park. The entire club stayed quiet for it--even the bartenders (which is rare); during which time I watched Aiko’s eyes slowly close as she fell back dreamily into Nyoko’s arms.
Hmmm, I thought.
Nyoko proceeded to pet Aiko’s head and stroke her soft hair. It was definitely sensual. I looked towards Kimiko to assess her reaction, but her eyes were also closed as she swayed in her chair.
And then...
Aiko suddenly turned ‘round in her chair and engaged Nyoko in what had to be the most beautiful kiss I’ve ever seen. So soft and feminine. And natural. So unlike how I’d have done it; with my sharp facial whiskers and crude impatience. Those two girls could have kissed for an hour and never moved on to 2nd base; whereas I was already dry-humping the table leg as I watched them.
Perhaps Nyoko felt my eyes ‘cause she looked in my direction. Lazily in the dark light. I watched her stroke Aiko’s hair in the same unbroken rhythm she’d been doing before ‘til we slowly came to share a smile. Then she reached cross the table towards me and said something in Japanese.
“What’d she say?” I asked Kimiko as I accepted Nyoko’s hand.
Kimiko asked Nyoko to repeat what she’d said, then translated.
“...She says you made a good choice.”
* NOTE: I'm going to split this into another part. Next one should be conclusion. Thanks for reading!
* ADD'L NOTE: Pictures included herein are meant simply to enhance the narrative. The only photograph that I own is 4th from the top (w/ Mulgrew). The rest I stole off the internet and probably have their own copyrights.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar