a friendship of opposites

Zelia is one of my closest friends.

We've traveled together in Rio (Brazil was her home for many years before New York).

We laughed for three days on a road trip through Appalachia when our kids were looking at colleges in the South.

And for the past 13 years, we've shared dinners, stories, and confidences. We never fight, though we sometimes argue. And we probably get along better than most married couples. But we are very different.

I like winter; Zelia prefers spring.  

I like the beach; Zelia doesn't. 

I am pretty open about my life; Zelia is more private. 

I like pop culture, Zelia doesn't know who Bruce Jenner is. 

Zelia sees the world in black and white; I see mostly grey. 

I prefer the creative side of things; Zelia is an economist. 

Zelia prefers strong Brazilian coffee black; I take mine with half and half.

Zelia follows politics. I don't (although this year I am, as it's trending more toward entertainment).  

And I like to shop, Zelia doesn't.

Before I worked at Saks,  I would walk the streets of New York, and inevitably see something in a store window that drew me in.

I would be in a new city or town, and would want to spend some time in a store.  It could be the Cape, visiting M in Boston, or walking around Sag Harbor; any store was fair prey. Now that I work at Saks I no longer do this, though it's still in my blood.

Zelia is not like this.  She doesn't like shopping, and only does it out of neccessity. I am  in awe.

"If I need a new dress for an event, I will go shopping for that," she tells me.

"What if you see a great skirt while you are looking for that dress?" I ask.

"That wouldn't happen. If I'm looking for a dress, that's all I'll buy."

If she were looking for furniture, she'd probably find a nice-enough sofa on her first day looking.  Me? Well, it could — and has — taken me years to find the right piece.

Zelia would never pass a store and say, "Want to go in and look around?" She has no interest in just looking around. 

Maybe some of this will wear off on me, though I doubt it.

Today I returned to the city. 

I'm looking forward to fall —the beginning of the most beautiful season. But it's nice ending summer in the company of a good friend.