This is a Deirdre tribute story first published by me in 1994.

The street fair seemed like a cute idea. It was that kind of neighborhood, the suburbia of green lawns, cats, dogs and kids. I strolled aimlessly through the crowds, basking in the warm ambiance and doing my best to forget Jeff. Being on my own wasn’t turning out to be a cakewalk, but it was infinitely better than continued pandering to his whining indecisiveness and adolescent behavior.

I hadn’t been planning to actually buy anything, but the sign caught my eye. “Caricatures!” it screamed in vibrant fluorescent colors. “While U Wait — $10.00.” It was an interesting idea, and I did have that empty spot on the wall now, but would it be appropriate for work?

“Hi, Mrs. Thatcher! Thinking of getting your picture done?” It was Tommy Parks, the kid who lived next door and mowed my grass every week. As always, he wore only faded jeans and an equally worn leather belt — I often wondered what he did at school or during the winter. A few more years and he’d be starring in his own Diet Coke commercials.

I struggled to switch my brain into conversation mode, but he evidently grew tired of waiting. “You gotta get one, they’re really cool! Com’on, my mom is the most awesome artist, I’m gonna get one, too!” Bonnie Parks, an artist? She’d always struck me as slightly weird, but I wouldn’t have figured her for this. It looked like my input wasn’t really needed, anyway. Tommy, apparently convinced I’d agree, had taken me in tow and it was a case of follow or be pulled off my feet.

A trio of giggling girls, drawings in hand, was just clearing the booth as we arrived; they looked happy enough with their purchases.