Mr. Blue calls them donkey bags, because they somewhat remind him about the simple bags the donkey drivers keep, to take care of the donkey's droppings on the streets. People get upset if they don't clean up after the animals.
But the nice versions of these bags are made by Georgios, the sail maker. He has his small shop in the street leading down to the port where he’s open a few hours every day. In his studio next door he has an old sewing machine that can handle the heavy material for sails. He also supplies canvases to the artists on the island. He is a fine man but takes his time with everything; he doesn't like to rush and stress.
Three years ago Mr. Blue asked Giorgios if he could make a donkey bag for him, the kind that his friend Harry van Layden uses, of the heavy white sail material with plenty of pockets, to hang on your shoulder. A lot better than a small backpack, especially when it's hot.
Blue reminded Giorgios about the bag many times and he always laughed and said: “When are you coming next time? I'll fix it.”
When Blue was here for Easter, van Layden promised to remind Giorgios about the bag. Van Layden is in contact with him all the time about canvases, since he uses a lot for his paintings.
- I’ll get Giorgios to make a bag for you, van Layden said.
Mr. Blue was never really stressing about the bag issue, it was one of those projects he thought would never quite materialize.
This summer, one hot day before noon, Harry van Layden called Blue down from the port. He'd been at the post office and had picked up some mail for Blue. He has a key to Blue's post office box and usually checks it. Van Layden has a lot of mailings. He's not connected to the internet and writes a lot of letters. And since it's hot in the morning and the Post Office closes at 2.00, this is a wonderful service for Blue.
Van Layden had a book packet for Blue. He asked if he should pass and bring it along.
- Sure, I'll make some coffee, Blue said.
Ten minutes later Van Layden arrived with his mail delivery – a nice book from Portents Press that Blue had ordered five days ago. They both checked the beautiful book production and van Layden took off his hat and slung his bag on the chair, eager for the coffee. Blue suddenly saw the brand new, white bag:
- You have a new bag? he asked.
- Yes, Giorgios made it for me, Van Layden said.
- Are you joking?
- No. What? Giorgios made me a new bag, the old one was somewhat stained with paint.
Blue stared at him and the beautiful white bag, with an outside pocket and the heavy stitches made by Giorgio's heavy old sewing machine.
- But, Giorgios was supposed to make me a new bag, Blue said. For three years he has promised me a new bag.
- Yeah, but you know how he is, he doesn't like to stress....
- Ohh, dear...Blue was steaming...but you were supposed to check on Giorgios and remind him about my bag, don't you remember?? You promised that you would see to it that Giorgios made me a bag. And now he has made one for you? You had a bag already! And now it will take another three years for me to get a bag! Blue almost felt betrayed.
Van Layden had entered through the door with a brand new donkey bag on his shoulder, just like it was a practical joke, but it seemed like he had forgotten all about the bag business ...
They had their coffee and chatted about different things and when Van Layden left, Blue thanked him again for bringing the mail.
- Great service with the mail, can't thank you enough.
- No problems, van Layden said, I’m going there anyway.
- But still, it's incredible that Giorgios made you a new bag – when you were supposed to get him to make one for me...after all these years...
Van Layden was already off down the alleyway, waving.
Three days later, Blue was on the way down the port late one afternoon, he was passing Giorgios shop, which was just about to close.
- Ohh, Mr. Blue! Giorgios shouted. Come! He waved Blue into the studio and pointed at the brand new bag that was hanging from a hook on the wall.
- I made a bag for you!
- Ohh, Mr. Blue said, it's wonderful! He hooked it down and hung it on his shoulder. It's beautiful. Blue couldn’t find the right words for mentioning something about Van Layden’s bag. You made it just now? How much do I owe you?
- OK, Giorgios said. 20 Euros is enough.
Blue paid him the very reasonable price and wore his bag down to the port.
Seems like everything worked out in the end, he thought, and hoped that Giorgios had not been stressed about this hoopla. Maybe Blue was the only one who got upset. Giorgios seemed fine. And Van Layden, well he didn't really see any problems at all.
Maybe I am too highly strung, Blue thought when he walked down the port; it's just a donkey bag after all.
Posts
