lunch with a long-ago friend

I met Ellen when I was living in Chicago. She was (and is) one cool girl.

We used to live in the same building overlooking Lincoln Park.  She, and her husband at the time, removed all the inner walls from their all-white apartment, something no one did back then.  She was, and is, the only person I ever knew who could make a living selling her art.  She is immensely talented.

I last saw Ellen when I left Chicago 33 years ago.  Here we are just doing who-knows-what.

summer 1978

About a year ago we reconnected, and now Ellen is visiting NY with her boyfriend Evan.  She and I are meeting for brunch.  I am a little nervous, as it’s been 33 years since we last saw each other; I moved to Boston from Chicago in 1981.

I arrive at the diner near Columbus Circle a few minutes before Ellen.  She walks in the door, and I know it’s her right away.  She hasn’t changed at all.  Still stylish, beautiful, curly-haired, tall and thin.

It’s comfortable and easy from the start.  We catch up quickly on the last 30 plus years, but find ourselves talking more about the present.  I like that.  It’s clear that the past connects us, but if I were to meet Ellen today, I would again want to be her friend.

After brunch, we walk up to 86^th Street to meet Evan and his two kids.  Not surprising, he is adorable, as are his son and daughter. 

I am hopeful it won’t be another 33 years before we get together again. It's more than a little frightening to think how old we'll be by then.