I bought a little painting this week. It's actually a Coke advertisement from 1936. It shows an old fisherman sitting on a red dory, holding a green glass bottle of Coke. His beard is thick and white against his lined, tanned face. He wears a white shirt, the cuffs rolled up past his wrists, worn leather boots, and a twinkling smile, for he has had a good catch this morning. Standing in front of him, her bare feet buried in the sand and salt water is a little girl, perhaps six years old. She wears a little green dress with a wide, white collar, all tied up behind her, and white bloomers peek out underneath. Her mother curled her hair last night, and this morning put a green bow in it to match her dress. The afternoon sun kisses her face and neck, making them glow. She too holds a bottle of Coke, only she has a straw to sip it with.
One isn't sure who gave who a Coke, but I think the little girl asked her mother for one to give to the 'dear old fisherman who looked so hot yesterday, mama. And he smiled so kindly at me, can I please give him a Coke? I'm sure he would like it.'