flash notes - finish the sentence

how can i bring the scene to mind? a sunny mid-winter morning. a pavement leads two people towards the taxi rank outside a mall. not the most romantic setting. young woman walks on the left, alongside the traffic. young man walks on the right, alongside a wall. they are both dressed in hoodies and jeans. she looks at him, laughing. he holds a plastic bottle enclosed in a plastic bag close to his mouth. they seem oblivious to anybody in the world except each other. lowering the bottle from his lips, he says, “i love it when you call me...”

flash notes - laughter at clicks

it is the end of a working day. the buzz of bright lights distract shoppers from the slowly setting sun. a long line of people who “pay less at clicks” wait, somewhat patiently, items in their hands: honey glazed almonds. wax strips. a pregnancy test. the long line curves between shelves of sweets, snacks and magazines that beckon the buyer to buy, buy more.

a loud, animated conversation is followed by bursts of laughter amidst the tellers and shoppers at the front of the queue. i stand in silence, puzzled yet intrigued. what just happened? i turn around to hear a woman – older, white (let’s call her janie) ask another woman – young, black (let’s call her mandi), “is that the guy from generations?” yes, yes he is, mandi nods. “i wonder if he’s going to marry khethiwe?” janie jokes. young mandi replies, “that’s what they asked him!” older janie insists, “they must ask him! we want to be invited!”

i appreciate this actor i don’t know and this soapie i don’t watch. i thank generations for bringing together generations of the rainbow nation, even for a moment. it gave us something, at the end of the day, to laugh about.