Hot Date

Now this is a stretch to be sure, but it's nice to reflect on the little things that can make us happy, when so much else is a struggle... Geoff followed me to the gas station. He was on his way to work, where he's set up residence for the duration, and I asked him to meet me at the gas station. I wanted to skip unloading and reloading Maria while I paid for gas. With Geoff's company, I could safely leave her in the car. I cannot remember the last time he and I sat alone-together in a darkened theater or gazed across candlelight into each other's eyes, but when he agreed to join me at the filling station, well I just couldn't help but think of it as a moment. An occasion. A hot date.


It's divine when something you have planned goes better than the plan. I needed company, an extra pair of eyes. He gave me full service. He let me sit. He paid. He did it all. There was a little flirting, some dialogue. We exchanged tenderness and probably railed about the economy a bit. Fortunately the tank was really low, so we had a chance to connect, to bond.


I still remember 1982, seeing him, my knees going weak. I still remember wanting nothing else in the world but to be in his arms, or at least hearing his voice on the phone. I thought I knew what forever meant. I thought I knew what everlasting love could mean. I was neither right nor wrong. There is something good and exhilarating about the early days of our relationship, and the memories are dear, but thank you God... thank you for the every day, for the partner in good times and bad. Thank you for normal, quiet, familiar. Thank you for enduring and kind, for gentle and humorous. Thank you for keeping me in the company of my best friend.