Contact

Counting my effects to make sure I had everything—these days I have to do this when moving from one spot to another while travelling—especially after only six hours of sleep in a thirty-six hour period: one bulging handbag, one suitcase, one stupid plastic bag still heavy with past editions of The Atlantic, Poets and Writers and The New Yorker I still hadn’t managed to finish reading, I head toward the money exchange window. I gag when my $20 nets me a five pound note and a few coins. What’s the exchange rate again? I need an espresso before I negotiate any more transactions. Hoisting my handbag onto my shoulder, I turn, about to head toward the coffee cart and stop. A woman in a trench coat like mine is peering down the corridor I’d exited just thirty minutes earlier.

Squinting at the woman through my prescription sunglasses (it’s got be pitch dark before I switch to my regular ones: vanity, they hide the suitcases under my eyes), I head toward her. “Donna?” She stares at me. I stare back. The moment hangs there. Can’t be sure; is this my hockey/softball playing chum? The last time I saw Donna we were both in our teens.  What the hell. We both grin and grab each other. Hey, even if it’s not Donna, I’m getting a hug when I most need it. But I know it’s her, no big ESP thing, it just feels right.

(The photo above is of the two of us on the bridge near Joan’s house in Morland).

4 thoughts on “Contact

  1. How exciting was that?! The big fella who came to ensconce himself in front of me- and forced me to zig zag back & forth to see the people exiting, must have arrived just as you walked through. I was starting to get worried when you popped up in front of me. So relieved & happy to see you! What a lovely re-union we had. Thank you for coming all that way. Am now writing this from Hong Kong, as on a surprise visit to my daughter’s BIG O birthday bash in Auckland.!!!!!!!!!! Will post some pics

  2. Yes, as Britton says, you indeed tantalize with tidbits — though, I confess, I had a sneaky feeling you were leading us down a road too dark, even with its twists and turns.

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