A new couple in the house
Today it was cold, very cold. Lies and I were in town for some errands. Lies also wanted to buy a book; she loves books. Yes, that's the kind you have to turn the page yourself, analog. What she has for books, I have for vinyl. While waiting in Heinen's bookstore, the bookstore in 's-Hertogenbosch, I was unexpectedly approached by a couple. John asked me, "Are you from 'The Elderly Picture House'?" I replied, "Yes, why do you ask?" He said, "Amy and I are looking for a place to live." I laughed and said, "You're way too young for 'The Elderly Picture House'." John grabbed my lapels, and his voice started to tremble. If he were to sing, people would talk about trembling, which can add extra emotion to a song. "We are 'old' souls, or 'Elderly' souls, and pictures of musicians," he shouted desperately. "We need a safe haven. Look at Amy, she's battling the demons of modern life." I looked at Amy and was overcome with a strange feeling, as if I'd met her before. A sign, for me, of an "old soul." My interest was piqued. I said to John, "Let's meet in an hour at Café 'M'n Tante,' our local pub, for a cup of coffee." "Okay," said John, and walked with Amy out of Heinen's bookstore into the cold.
I turned around and saw Lies coming down the stairs with a new book in her hand. She looked at me and asked, "What?" I said, "I don't know, but a guy named John just approached me and he wants to come live with us and his Amy." "With us? Are you crazy?" Lies asked. "Yeah, I mean the 'Picture House.'" "Oh," Lies said, "But that's for Elderly Pictures, isn't it? Are they elderly then?" "No, they're not," I thought, but I couldn't shake the image of Amy. "Old souls in a young body," I replied quickly. "I've arranged to meet them at 'My Aunt's' for coffee. "I'm curious," I said, and walked out of the bookstore. "First, I'll pick up some flowers at the market, and then I'd like to see that couple," Lies said, pushing up the collar of her coat to protect herself from the biting cold.
After buying various colors of tulips, we walked towards café 'M'n Tante'. As we strolled, we passed the Vietnamese stall where two of our friends were tucking into their traditional Saturday breakfast. "Hi, how are you?" I asked. With the spring roll in his hand and the NRC newspaper under his armpit, our friend replied, "Okay, breakfast and then coffee and my newspaper." Our friend was speechless as she was thoroughly enjoying her spring roll. When we arrived at café 'M'n Tante, John and Amy were already waiting.
"What would you like to drink?" I asked. "Cappuccino," Amy replied. Her answer made my heart sink. John saw that and started laughing, only saying, "Old soul." My decision was made immediately, and I looked at Lies. She knows me like no other and simply nodded yes with a warm smile. So we have new residents in 'The Elderly Picture House': Amy Winehouse of Back To Black and John Mayer of Rooms For Squares, an odd couple, but a perfect fit among all our 'old souls'.
