Our friend Hazel was a 6 feet tall Amazon, with a wit and intelligence just as high. Nothing matched her infectious teasing humor, and she always said what was on her mind.
Over 20 years ago, it was Hazel that first guessed that my hubby and I caught each other’s eyes. She knew flirtation well, which she dished out liberally to all of the office guys. She knew the looks we exchanged, even despite our secretive guise.
One day my hubby (then workmate) and I stepped into the elevator alone. The door began to shut, but she caught it just in time. In she walked, and then the door fully closed. In a low sexy voice with a big enthusiastic smile, she said “I’m on to you two. I know it!” In response we told her to please keep that fact quiet, but it wouldn’t be that long before we found she couldn’t even try that.
Hazel filled her house and office with the biggest plants imaginable. She told everyone she liked living in a jungle like a big wild cat. Her persona was indeed as big as a Bengal tiger; everyone knew it, including any new hire.
Everybody who knew Hazel knew she liked things hot. Didn’t matter what it was; sausage, fish, burger, chicken or stew. She kept her bottles of spicy sauces in her desk, and then shook them daily on her food. Knowing this, my husband on a trip to New Mexico spotted some hot sauces and thought of her. One in particular had a warning on the bottle reading “Danger!” He brought it home to Hazel as a joke, and sure enough she tried it. Hubby thought this would be the ONE that brought her to a complete fit.
The next morning, Hazel looked my husband square in the eyes and said “Oh, Marty! That stuff you gave me was REALLY hot! It brought tears gushing from both my eyes.”
My husband felt bad and said “Hazel, I’m so so sorry!”
“No, Marty, I LOVED it!” she said, “I’ll use it again tonight and maybe tomorrow.”
About a year later, my husband announced his engagement (to me). The office, including Hazel, was giddy with joy. At the office engagement party he received some naughty gifts. I won’t describe many, but Hazel brought a whip.
Hazel died a few years ago, but will forever live in people’s memories. Who could forget such a spicy friendly lass, one with her own special Hazel kind of class.
Bird Flight 
Hazel died..that’s so sad..
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It definitely was. She had cancer.
She had moved to Atlanta, Georgia a few years before. Luckily my husband didn’t have to see her ill. I stopped working in that department a little while before my engagement to my husband.
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Ohh..cancer is one awful disease. You know Cindy, while reading your post I was imagining Hazel exactly as you described, a happy and vivacious person.. Sometimes the good ones are taken away sooner than we wish.
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It’s true. My mother died of cancer at 61. It’s just horrible!
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Oh that’s really sad. So sorry to hear about that…
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nice write up with a sad part…..
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Thank you, Fortunately Human. Perhaps I should have left the sad part out. Do you think?
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perhaps….though would have been bit incomplete….
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So touching ma’am.
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Thanks so much, Subbashini!
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That’s very touching. But the good thing is that she is remembered. And the way you wrote it, i could actually imagine her persona.
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I appreciate your feedback, thoughtsofacuriousgirl. I’m glad you were able to imagine her persona so easily. I’ve been working on improving character development in my stories.
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Oh so sad 😦 But it was a good read for sure.
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She had many good friends and a loving family that adored her.
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