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Of course, I’ve seen her films and I know who she is. Breathtaking. That’s exactly my first thought when I saw the big ban promoting The Ark. The new movie of the ‘it’ actress of Hollywood. Clarke Griffin. She is fabulous — but you know she also lives in a different world I live in. A world thousand miles away, with big houses, parties… Me, on the other hand, well, I live in a nice place too, called Notting Hill.
Those were my thought as I walked by my neighborhood. And if Notting Hill is a nice place during weekdays, weekends are even better; fuller of people, markets, music, etc. From Portobello Road to Hill Gates. I can certainly say that Notting Hill is an eclectic spot where you can find and make some genuine memories. But, If I’m being honest, what I really love from this place is the people that live in this part of London.
My friend Octavia, O for family and friends, ex-Royal Air Force turned chef, who recently invested all the money she earned in a new restaurant, TonDC. I mean, watching her every morning shouting and arguing with the dealers is priceless, I have yet to see one time she doesn’t have the best deal. Who would dare? She is petit but fearless. I waved at her from across the street while I saw how she received and approved a huge fresh salmon. She waved back with the fish still in her hands but didn’t waste any second to keep shouting the poor guy behind her.
A few steps ahead, Gustus tattoo parlor, a very unique place ran it by a tall man with a very long beard and serious face. Don’t be trick. He is a giant teddy bear. He is, also, one of the best tattoo artists in the city. My sister and I have visited his parlor several times over the years. Our first tattoo, right before College was designed and nicely done by Gus. We both got an intricate pattern in our bicep. There’s a story behind that… When we were kids we used to play and fantasied that we were warriors fighting wars. I was the commander in charge, the Heda, and my sister was my second. Anyway, we used to paint ourselves fake tattoos to make us look badass… let me tell you our mother grew very tired of the ink and the charcoal across our faces. As soon as I turned eighteen, my sister took me to Gustus and gifted me with the tattoo.
So, this is where I spend my days and years, in this small village in the middle of a city - aha! This is my stop… see that house with a blue door? Well, let say my wife (ex-wife) thought that it would look artistic. Costia. My sweetheart from High School, we were meant to be, you know?
“I’m sorry, Lexa, it’s not you, it’s me. I don’t know who I am anymore” she said, avowing eye contact.
“ What do you mean?” -I blame myself for this answer, ok? Not one of my finest moment I must admit, feeling like Justin Bieber. God help me. I know you all might been thinking, ‘seriously that’s the best you got, mate? The lady is breaking up with you with a classic move!!’ But, let me tell you something, the best and smartest answers always come after the argument. In the meantime, you just stare there.
“I’ve been thinking and I don’t believe this is for me…” Confusion all over my face.
“You mean marriage? We been married for a year in a half and before that we were girlfriends for years” I said, trying to talk her into some sense.
“I mean being with a women… Maybe, it was a phase? I don’t think I am really into women, you know? You are wonderful and deserve something better. Goodbye, Lexa”. Then, took two suitcase she had on the closet and exited the house.
Let me tell you, something folks, you don’t spend six years eating pussy and get the say it was a phase. Dear, a phase is one stand night, a week, hell maybe a couple months, but more than a half of a decade? Uh, uh… A few months later, I found that she actually left me for a man named John Murphy, who looked like Liam Hemsworth, only even more handsome… And just like that, I was left behind with a blue-doored house full of memories. The only blue door in the neighborhood. God, I hate blue.
And now I lead a strange half-life with a lodger called…
“Raaaaaven!”.
A petit brunette with hazel eyes is piercing a toaster with some much anger I am afraid the bread is going to burn. She's wearing shorts and a bra, just woke up, I assume. “Need help!!!!” she yelled. I clearly could sense the distress in her voice. Still, I decided to be a bit cheeky, “Can somebody call 911, Raven Reyes needs help and she is willing to ask for it!!” If looks could kill, I’d be dead now. But I don’t care, I am certainly enjoying the moment.
“It is important, and you know, even genius needs to ask for help some times, a very few, to be honest. Anyway, admitting you need help is the first step” she defended herself so I put my best ‘this is serious’ face and added, “Is this important in comparison to, let’s say, marine pollution or Brexit?”
“You really need to stop watching so many documental about marine animals, pollution, the end of the world… Calm your ass, commander,— do you remember the chick from my office? Brunette, light eyes and a body to go to war?” she said with excited little eyes. As you can see, she has a clear set of priorities. “Anyway, Janine and I are going out on a date and I want to be sure I’ve picked the right t-shirt”.
“What are the choices?" I asked, “Well, wait a second…" she childishly ran upstairs to get the clothes and quickly come back, "this is the first one.”
The first choice was a white t-shirt with a horrible looking clown holding a knife and covered in blood. WTF, Raven? I think my face really let her know my opinion, so she moved and changed to a second black t-shirt, with a large hook, saying, ‘wanna hook up’. “Cool, huh?” she bragged, “well, she might think you don’t have true love on your mind” I replied. “These tks — love is overrated. Look at you, all nerdy, surrounded by romantic books and shit and you haven’t been laid in… forever” she shoved her hands frantically. After a pause. “You know? You might be right, I think the one with Captain Hook is perfect. “YES! I knew it. Thanks. Wish me luck, no that I need it but, for good measure” and before I can wish her good luck she demolished a toast and vanished.
Ok. I feel I need to introduce her. That little specimen called Raven Reyes came to my life after my so dear ex-wife ran away. Well, the truth is, after a few months of mopping, my sister lost the little patience she has and forced me to look for a roommate in order to split the expenses. I can’t say we connected from day one because, to be honest, it was something closer to ‘Uh, uh, that crazy bitch ain’t living with me’. But, after a lot of thinking - and pressure from Anya- I agreed. Strangely one of my best decision. She is crazy, but despite the madness, Raven brings to my life, I’ve realise she also brings in sympathy and honesty. Something I really craved and needed at that time and have learned to really appreciate in my life.