SCATTERBRAINED: X-Rated Vision

By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com

Francisco E. Jimenez

“Why don’t you and your sister hug each other at church when we’re supposed to be giving each other the sign of peace?” asked my mom one evening over dinner.

“Huh?”

“During church, when everyone else is hugging and giving peace, why don’t you and your sister hug?”

“We shake hands,” I retort.

“Yeah, but she is your sister, and it’s a sign of peace. You’re supposed to hug her.”

“But I hate her,” I explain, half-jokingly. (Rice shoots out of my sister’s mouth and nose as she bursts out laughing.)

“I’m being serious,” says my mom.

“So am I. Did General George Washington and Lord Cornwallis hug after the Siege of Yorktown? Did General Sam Houston and General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna hug after the Battle of San Jacinto? Did Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader hug after overthrowing the empire? (Wait… did they?) Well, Bianca is my enemy. That’s why we only shake hands during the sign of peace.”

“(scoff)”

This is a conversation I had a couple of weeks ago. The only reason I bring this up is because I can’t help but think of proper forms of affection in public. Not that there is anything necessarily wrong with showing affection in public (or hugging my sister), but how much PDA is too much PDA?

A couple of days ago, I joined Managing Editor Michael Rodriguez and his wife Leah for dinner after work at Texas Roadhouse. After finishing our meals and running out of jokes to harass our waitress with, we exited the restaurant and made our way to the parking lot. Upon entering the vehicle and getting buckled up, we couldn’t help but notice an older couple embracing each other (well, more than embracing) not too far from where we were parked with no regard to us or the other people in the parking lot. Mind you, we weren’t staring; it is simply hard to ignore something happening right in front of you.

“OH MY GOD!” exclaimed Leah.

“AHAHAHAHA!” exclaimed Michael, in his trademark cackle.

It was a little awkward to say the least… then things appeared to turn X-rated. Again, this is in full display to us and other people parking their cars or walking to and from their vehicles.

It wasn’t something I wanted to see, and if I had kids, I sure as heck wouldn’t appreciate something like that happening in full view of my children. I’m not placing judgment in any way, shape or form, but come on. Whatever happened to common courtesy?

Well, well, well… oh well, as Johnny Lennon would say.