Last week, I went to visit my parents in Florida. We took a side trip down to Key West for two days. We spent our time exploring all the restaurants, art galleries, and shops Duval Street has to offer. In a tourist heavy city like Key West, you always end talking to a few strangers at the local watering holes.
Key West is home to the original Jimmy Buffett Margaritaville restaurant and bar. I am not a Parrothead, but I follow the ‘When in Rome’ proverb. After sitting at the bar awhile, two women approached us. They wanted to know if we were Parrotheads and what our favorite Jimmy Buffett songs were. I declined to answer because I didn’t want to admit that I don’t know even know what the guy sang besides Margaritaville.
During our exchange with these two women, it became known that I was there alone with my parents because I am a widow. One of the women latched on immediately to the tragedy of it all and only wanted to know how. I used my standard, ‘Well he died’ answer served with a smile. The second woman scooped me into her arms immediately.
I know it was the alcohol she imbued but it was almost like she became possessed. As she hugged me, she told me the hug was from him. She asked me if he was naughty, and I replied yes. That is the simplest way to describe his suicide, so yeah naughty. Then she told me that he was so sorry and that he is proud of me. She continued that I was the love of his life and gave me another hug. At this point, the tears are leaking but I’m not really mad at her. She sort of shuddered and stepped back, the possession completed.
Her husband called her back to their seats and the women bid us farewell. I dried my eyes and took a deep breathe. I looked at my parents and told them, at least she was better than the psychic we tried 6 months after he passed. She was cheaper too.
I have no idea if this Parrothead really was embodying Tony. Maybe he decided Key West was the best place to break through. Or maybe this woman just wanted to hug me and send me some love. Either way, it’s okay, I don’t need to over-analyze it.
