Joanna Gilman Hyde

The Tomato-coloured Couch 11:30am

I met a Nice Young Man

with a husk in His Voice

on the pedestrian walk-up

to The Yarmouth — Portland Ferry

New Year’s Eve 1985

–

I had been dumped on the highway

by My Arguing Mother

and had to get a ride to New York

–

Peter Lynn Haeghaert was His Name

and He had been visiting His Father for Christmas

After discovering We were both visiting parents

and We were both artists

He agreed to drive Me into New York City even though

He lived on the Eastern End of Long Island

We caught the tail end of a Holiday Inn Party

and shared a room and slept in separate beds

–

Not only was Peter an artist — He was available

In January I invited Him to an ice cream party

and He drove the fifty miles into The City

and took Me out to dinner

In February He sent Me a home-made Valentine

–

I didn’t see Peter again until May

when I went out to Sag Harbour

armed with Two Friends

Who liked His Blond Apartment

and the $50.00 picnic He bought for Us

which We enjoyed on a beach

in the company of a topless Irish girl

On the way back to NYC, one of My Friends

suggested I ask Peter His Birthday

and when It was discovered to be June 22

plans were swiftly made

to visit again, this time picking strawberries

& drinking champagne

–

Our last official date, numbering Four

Peter chartered two tickets

aboard a sail boat for The Statue of Liberty Centennial

with it’s 4th of July fanfare of food and fireworks

–

Peter came into New York City one last time

before we planned to go to Nova Scotia together

but He didn’t stay as long as I would have liked

& I deliberately slept with someone else

–

August in Nova Scotia

My Mother cornered Peter on Her Island Bed

with coffee in the morning

and asked Peter what His Intentions were:

Peter looked at Me and smiled

and said

“I would like to marry Joanna

and live in Nova Scotia”