The office staff here at the marina are Gigi and Phyllis.  Gig is in her 40s and is mama to Jack, a feisty little Yorkie.

Phyllis is in her 70s and is usually on the phone when you come in.

Yesterday I came in and needed a phone number to call the motor mechanic at the Boatyard who said he would clean the dinghy carburetor.

“No mama I’m listening to you!” Phyllis spoke into the phone before putting it down to look up my number. I could hear someone yelling on the phone.

Phyllis looked up at me.  “She don’t hear good and she gets mad when she can’t hear me.  She’s 104 and she gets mad that nobody calls her. But then you call her and she gets mad cause she can’t hear you.”

I smile as Phyllis shakes her head.  She picks up the phone again.  “No mama no!  I am busy but I can hear you!  You’re too demanding mama!

She laid the phone down again, where I can hear loud yelling again.

As I leave the marina office I hear Phyllis exclaiming to her mother, “You’re just too choosy mama.  You want everything your way, you need to listen to other people sometimes.”

Jack the Yorkie barks in agreement.

I don’t know.  If you’re 104 you’re entitled to a little selfishness, no?

Today I asked Phyllis how her mother was doing.  She almost cried as she told me her mother fell and broke her hip yesterday.”First time she’s been in the hospital.  She said she can’t believe she has to go to hospital now, after 104 years.”

Wow, bless her heart.  I’m sure she will give those nurses an earful. But the good news is that the Bahamian lifestyle must lead to a long life.