New Sister

I decided to take a moment for myself last week and get a manicure and pedicure at my favorite nail salon. I appreciate getting my nails done even more now because during chemotherapy it was forbidden, well it was frowned upon but some people still do it. I decided to not get my nails done during treatment, like a good patient. The reason it is looked down upon is because there is risk of infection. If an instrument is not sterilized and used on a hand or foot and that tool cuts someones finger or nail bed it can cause an infection. I did not want to risk that, so for the six months I was under treatment I clipped my nails short and that was it. No polish or anything fancy, I did not have the energy.
Anyhow, I arrived at the shop and sat down to enjoy my 45 minutes of pure bliss. The ladies are wonderful and have known me for about five or six years. The foot massage I enjoy the most because my feet hurt from post chemotherapy issues and massages help with the pain.
The shop was empty since it was the middle of a work day and so I was able to relax and read a magazine when a customer came in. The ladies looked up and I did too as this customer, a woman in her sixties I would guess stood in front of us with her hands on her hips and a scowl on her face. I grew curious and the other shop ladies all gave each other knowing glances. The lady then announced, "Did you know there is NO parking outside?" I was confused, how is this the shops issue. The owner of the shop, Song spoke up, "Yes, it can be tough to find parking." The lady then said, "All of your spots in back are filled and there are No spots in front of the shop, what should I do?" I was thinking fast about how I could help this lady, since she was obviously late for her appointment. I heard Song say, "I don't know, but you need to be here soon because I have another customer after you." She then offered, "You can come in tomorrow if you like?" I braced myself for the lady's reply knowing she was not going to be happy with this response, "What? Tomorrow? Oh no no I cannot do that." She grew more irate, "Song do you still want business from me? If so, then you need to tell people when they make appointments about the parking situation." She said this as she marched outside.
I looked at the ladies stunned yet kind of entertained, Song looked at me and said, "She is always like this, it will be okay."
My nails were almost done and I thought maybe I should have offered her my spot but she ran out so fast there was not a chance. Not sure if she was coming back I shook it off and returned to my magazine.
The lady came back in five minutes later, she had found parking. I tried to not stare as she ran over to Song's desk and sat down but as she was doing so telling her how she is going to lose customers.
Song and her both went at it for a bit and the other ladies tried to keep themselves busy as I sat there starting to get annoyed. This lady was so awful and mean to Song I wanted to speak up but I did not say anything.
The lady then brought me into the conversation, "This customer here must have five cars then because all five of your spots are full." She pointed at me and kept her face looking at Song.
I spoke up, "Uh, no I do not have five cars, in fact I was going to offer you my spot out front if you were needing it."
The lady did a double take and looked at me then smiled, "Oh you know what I mean, the parking is terrible!!!"
This would start a very interesting conversation between the two of us that would lead me to find out she is a Stage Three Breast Cancer survivor. Instantly we were connected and a new friendship was formed. Her story, she grew up in Coronado with a father who was a Marine Corp General in WWII. Her grandfather was also a Marine Corp General. She told me a story about how she was the first paper girl in her neighborhood. She would have to sneak out of the house in the early morning, since her parents did not look fondly upon this, and she would deliver papers. Her father finally caught on and realized the Marine Corp training he would teach her for fun she would use to escape the house. He never knew it would be used against him
 I told her about my grandfather having served in the Marine Corp during WWII. Both fought in the South Pacific theatre.  We were connected again. When the conversation turned to breast cancer we were able to help one another out with things the other did not know. She needed to know about where to buy items for women who have had mastectomies and I knew several places. She heard I was going through radiation treatments and offered to mix me up her ice remedy that helped her and drop it off. I gladly accepted. We were pals by the time I left. I know why this lady is surviving, she is tough and not willing to give up. I liked her spirit although I did not like how she treated Song at first, but Song knew how to handle her.
I have had experience with strong personality types before so this does not bother me in the least bit.
Later that day, she dropped off her ice remedy at my home. She came in and got to see my place, "So this is an original Bird Rock cottage, huh?" She asked while looking up at our vaulted cedar ceilings. "Yup." I responded proud of my home. We went on to talk about remodeling and such. She then saw my grandfather's flag from his burial and asked what that was for, "I was presented with my grandfather's flag when he passed on this past winter." I said to her knowing she would understand the significance of this. " I keep it on my mantel to remind me to stay strong and brave during my battle just as he did during his battle in WWII." I told her, "Because you know it was tough for them." She nodded and said, "Yes it was." She grew quiet out of respect it seemed and then all of sudden went on to tell me about table tennis. She plays at Balboa Park and finds it a great release and then offered to go for a walk with me sometime, "You know it is nice to be able to talk to someone about this." She said to me as she was leaving. I told her, "Yes it sure is!!" She then said," I am sorry about how I acted earlier in the salon, I think my medication is making me grouchy." I smiled knowing full well it is not her medication, "We all have been there." I said to her and then said good night. I found a new friend, a fellow sister in the fight against breast cancer.