It's 9AM
What does that mean, she asked.
I laughed.
You don’t want to know.
Now I have to know, she shifted in her passenger seat.
What does a loofah on your car mean?
I checked the rear view mirror.
Not for cars.
For inquisitive little ears ready to overhear.
But we were headphone safe for the moment.
It means you like to swing.
Like dancing?
Mattress dancing.
Huh? She looked confused.
Sometimes I forget we don’t share euphemisms.
I don’t see nothing wrong with a little bump and grind.
Gross, she made a face.
In general or my singing?
She gestured to the surrounding area.
This is a retirement village.
So?
So, she shivered. They’re old.
Old enough to know and too young to care, I said.
It’s a Code. So anyone who shares your hobby knows too.
Did you just call swapping a hobby?
The tone of her voice should have been a sign that said Here There Be Dragons.
Isn’t it though? I asked.
Because logic ALWAYS works in the face of overwhelming emotion.
Especially anger.
I mean Star Wars nerds have a code so they can recognize each other.
I held up a Vulcan greeting.
May the Force be with you.
Do they have a bath sponge for that? She sneered.
She was not amused.
It’s just how they communicate, I said.
But…how do YOU know?
Her voice another danger sign.
Proceed with caution.
What she really wanted to know was why I knew.
Was it first hand?
Did I trip up to the Villages every other weekend when I lived in FL to debauch with the best of them?
Did I have a sun faded bath sponge in an old box at the back of my closet?
Did I know the shorthand and the code because I flirted with the lifestyle?
I read about it, I answered.
She ruminated on that for the rest of the drive to the VRBO condo where we were staying.
And didn’t bring it up again.
“That’s cute,” she said as she picked up a metal pink flamingo by the front door.
“We should get one of these for the porch.”
I didn’t have the heart to tell her no.
What secret sign and shorthand do you know and can share in the comments? And if you have questions, you can email me those.
Read the entire story, BAYOU JUSTICE - a mystery
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PLUS
I watched Moneyball a few days ago and thought it was great. Did you see it?
AND
I do have a handful, some of which are for use with the prep groups with which I am affiliated. Half a dozen more for use with some of my contacts that could get into serious trouble if it was known they were communicating with me.
I used to have six that were used with my nephew and nieces for them to let me know if they were in dangerous or uncomfortable situation with other people, and to verify that they, and I, where who we said we were. They are all grown now, so it is not the same.
Several more to let certain people I know that I am going into protective mode due to a possible, pending, or in progress situation requiring the use of my/our prepping plans.
I also use three different challenge coins or devices to identify myself as a member or part of various organizations.
I cannot really specify what any of them are, for obvious reasons.
Jerry