A Conversation with Anna Quindlan and Alice Walker :: Biography Biographies Essays

A Conversation with Anna Quindlan and Alice Walker   It was an early Fall afternoon. The harming of afternoon which lends itself to fluid contemplation of the meaning of life, either while sit down under a tree, or walking by the woods admiring the ever-changing foliage, or writing by sunlight in a quiet coffeeshop I had begun to list home. This particular afternoon I opted for the coffeeshop.   I walked through the door and waved to Theresa, who was standing behind the counter. In the three years I had been coming to this place I was never served by anyone but Theresa. She k stark naked me scarce as Honey. As my look adjusted to the light on the inner(a) of the coffeeshop, I removed my jacket and moved to my customary spot at the table to the extreme rear, beside the windows. I sit here because, in this corner, I can be an inconspicuous observer of the world. I have a view of the street outside the window and a view of the privileged of the coffeeshop f rom this vantage point. While on the way to my table, I noticed something new in my second home.   There the two of them sat. One white, thirty-something, in a conservative blue dress. The other black, only the experience that shows in her eyes giving away her true age of fifty-two, dressed in a colorful, flowing dress that seemed to have a vibrant life of its own. They appeared to be engaged in light conversation like two women from a General Foods International Coffee commercial. I immediately changed direction and headed for their table.   Mrs. Quindlen, Mrs. Walker, it is a pleasure and an honor to see you. I have read your books and exhaustively enjoyed them. Would you mind if I joined you?   Not at all, stated Mrs. Quindlen. Please, call me Anna. She studied my face intently, trying to decide whether or not to glide by with the conversation or to simply while away the time with handsome talk until they could gently push me away. She decided on the for mer.   We were just sit down here discussing men. You just happened to walk up and now we have a real live man with which to examine.