I spent some
time this morning with Steve Dancy. I didn’t write a lot of new
material, but I did edit the last couple of chapters I’d written before we
moved into our new home. I was able to get back to Steve because I’ve finished
unpacking the last indoor box from our move. (Unfortunately, there are still
loads of garage boxes yet to be dealt with.) You might think Steve Dancy is my
favorite literary character, but I’ve recently developed a fondness for Lee
Child’s character Jack
Reacher. Reacher travels unfettered by personal belongings—no house,
no car, no wardrobe, no knickknacks.
Reacher carries only a toothbrush and buys new clothes when the ones he is
wearing get dirty. Wow, the freedom. I, on the other hand, am anchored by countless
possessions that possess me.
I enjoy the Jack
Reacher novels and suspect Lee Child invented the character after a vexing move
to a new house. If so, it was a brilliant way to transform hardship into
largess. Dancy moves around as well, but through the magic of fiction, he
transports everything he needs effortlessly. I wish I could jump into one of my
books where everything happens in an ordered fashion. My order, of course.
Unfortunately, I live in a world of corrugated board, cluttering stuff spread
all over every flat surface, and pictures galore leaned against any open wall space.
I think I’ll make a trip to the pharmacy to buy a toothbrush.