dinner with a friend

There's this expression about aging that is so true. Time speeds up as there are fewer novel experiences and more routines. So when I get a text from Terri saying she'll be in town, I hadn't realized (until I check my calendar) that it's been four years since I last saw her. We met in 1989 when we shared a summer house together in the Hamptons (the same summer I met my future son's father).

Terri used to live in Manhattan. Then got married, had a child, got divorced from someone who turned out to be a charming psychopath (though never killed anyone that we know of), and then because of her job moved to Orlando (about 15 years ago).

Terri is beautiful. Smart. Is more fit than most 25-year-olds. She is also fun. Adventurous. Interesting. And has more remarkable stories than anyone I know. Drama surrounds her.

We decide to do something a little different. I find a place on Google on the UWS (where we are meeting) that got good reviews on YELP for reflexology. I arrive early (around 5:30) and the place is questionable at best. I knew it would be no-frills, but this place is a few rungs below that. I think it's clean despite a stained carpet, but it is definitely on the margins.

By the time Terri shows up we have a plan. She can say she is not feeling well if she doesn't want to stay. She arrives and quickly announces that she's recovering from hand surgery (true) and that she feels slightly ill (not true). We leave. It was the bad odor that got to Terri (I can't smell it as I can't smell a lot of things due to, I think, I sinus issue).

And just like that, we begin talking and walking.  So much to say, despite my thinking my life is not worth repeating. We walk along Riverside Park and end up at Serafina. For the next three hours, we talk more. And laugh (the kind emanating from the belly). And don't reminisce. We have a ton of amazing shared adventures which we don't even mention. No need, as we both know they are there.  And besides, there is so much new stuff  still to share.