I was blessed to enjoy a trip to Punta Cana and one of my most cherished memories was experienced on a simple walk.
Late one night I and my nephew, Spencer, were walking back to our rooms at the Hard Rock Resort, through the candle lit, ballroom sized hallways with the occasional shops to the left and right.
Over the years, Spencer, has fell victim to my shenanigans and been the blunt of many a joke since he was a young lad but not tonight. Tonight, we were just two growed ups with a healthy platonic respect for each other in this big ol world called life.
We were strolling in front of several couples, not quite stones throw away but in earshot of their innocence voices. Several couples that were celebrating life to the fullest, without a care in the world, with an unbridled love for one another and a trust in humanity that would make any tree hugging activist giddy.
As the couples' feet behind us were tiptoeing so softly on clouds of cotton candy, almost floating on the dreams of puppy's breath. Spencer and I were in the verbal trenches, heavy treading through the economically marginalized political socialization of......I can see that I am bringing your uncircumcised cranium to a sleepy state of confusion, I will quickly move on.
Spencer and I were in a philosophical theological discussion, I'm sure, on the brink of ingenious infrastructural design to stop world hunger no doubt. Still in full trench trod, Spencer bladed his body towards me, with torso slightly angled at the waist so that this nugget of profound wisdom shall lite upon my hearing canals alone and not thy uneducated laypers behind thee.
Spencer was in mid climactical crescendo with the faint voices behind, periodically projecting in but more frequently silhouetting the lead vocalist. But Spencer "AKA Hollywood" being the rockstar that he is, took backstage to the ensemble and let their voices ring out, via solo a-cappella.
"but they are all closed" one fellow bellowed. "We should have made reservations" one brother said to another. Their ladies were perturbed, and little did they know but the boys made them missed dinner because they were at the casino.
Spencer, with full knowledge that our subject at hand would implement thousands of workers and endless man hours just to effectively extend one olive branch to one individual, saw an opportunity arise. He saw a damsel in distress if you will. Two damsels in distress with two idiotic inconsiderate imbeciles attached to their arms to be exact, but that's neither here nor there.
Without second thought for his own safety or any glory that may be bestowed upon himself, Spencer spun around like a top, and stage dived into the lives of these unsuspecting spectators. He transformed, mid-flight, into a human windchime creating his own instrumental intro.
The percussion performance was implemented by the Johnny Depp like accessories and bedazzling beaded bangles randomly rattling while the flapping of his crimson cloak attempted to keep time. At the last beat and right on cue, his feet settled sure foot on the marble floor before these desolate dinner defeated infidels.
Spencer stood before these peasants with the knowledge of Kingsmen near and far. He brought with him an ora of unfathomed faith, humanist hope and limitless love as he gazed steadfast into the windows of their souls.
Spencer with all certainty and confidence, spoke with an authoritative vibrato as he revealed this simple message that would change their lives forever "you can go to the front desk, order room service, and your food will be waiting on you by the time you get to your room".
The despairing dinner debacle had been defeated and "thank you!" were the cheers and flowers thrown at the matador's feet that night.
But....Spencer waited for no applause, accolades, or at a boys. With only a swift pivot of the feet, he continued briskly to promenade as his magnetic presence drew me to his right flank and down the corridor.
The colosseum now empty and the crowd has dispersed,
Face turning red and snickering on verge,
Inside wanted out, Spencer about to burst.
Did I miss something? I'm now dumbstruck,
Heimlich needed? Maybe his food is stuck?
With a devilish grin and a lift of his cup,
Spencer said, "I just made that sh!t up!".
The walls could not contain the echoes of our laughter and the ceiling hid not the moon from the hilarious howling. Our tears mixed with this dirty deed turned the floor into a pig pen where we wallowed until the muscles in our stomach and faces grew sore.
RumpleSpencer had spun this evening into gold and for what? An audience of two with a punch line that would only live in our imagination. But what Spencer would say next meant the world to me.
I usually wouldn't have thought of that,
I believe it was truly inspired,
You must be rubbing off on me,
A transfer of wits taking years to acquire.
There a lesson here if you listen close,
If not for you than copy and post
Spencer could have cried victim after all these years
Been a product of his environment, drowning in his tears
But he grew up just fine and learned to laugh at himself,
It's the choices in life that define you, so what will you do with the cards you were dealt?
