A Strange Vacation 3
I haven't seen my college friend Stephanie since her wedding over 20 years ago. Since then, we've both been divorced, had multiple careers, raised autistic children, dealt with severe health issues, and have reached the point where hands-on parenthood is nearly over. We've kept in touch sporadically on-line, but not face-to-face. Stephanie lives in Philadelphia, so when I told her I was coming for a few days, we happily set up a meeting.
We met at a cafe for an early lunch. It was so good to see her! Stephanie hasn't changed at all except for the gray in her hair. The weather was roasting hot--over 90 degrees--so we stayed in the air-conditioned cafe and talked. Darwin had never met her, so he got to know her. :) And then after we started feeling guilty for hogging the table, we adjourned to our rented flat and talked some more. It was wonderful to get re-acquainted!
Eventually, Stephanie had to leave. After a "we won't wait twenty years for the next reunion" farewell, Darwin and I wandered about Philadelphia doing nothing much, just admiring the neighborhoods and the architecture.
The following morning, we packed up and hauled our suitcases down all four freakin' flights of stairs. I ran down to the parking garage, paid the exorbitant ransom for the car, and put it in yet another illegal spot near the apartment so we could load it.
It was a long, long, LONG drive home. Over nine hours. With only brief rest breaks. But we finally got home.
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We met at a cafe for an early lunch. It was so good to see her! Stephanie hasn't changed at all except for the gray in her hair. The weather was roasting hot--over 90 degrees--so we stayed in the air-conditioned cafe and talked. Darwin had never met her, so he got to know her. :) And then after we started feeling guilty for hogging the table, we adjourned to our rented flat and talked some more. It was wonderful to get re-acquainted!
Eventually, Stephanie had to leave. After a "we won't wait twenty years for the next reunion" farewell, Darwin and I wandered about Philadelphia doing nothing much, just admiring the neighborhoods and the architecture.
The following morning, we packed up and hauled our suitcases down all four freakin' flights of stairs. I ran down to the parking garage, paid the exorbitant ransom for the car, and put it in yet another illegal spot near the apartment so we could load it.
It was a long, long, LONG drive home. Over nine hours. With only brief rest breaks. But we finally got home.
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