This morning I met up with Chris and Ken for breakfast at the fine dining establishment…Waffle House. The one on Cheshire Bridge has always been there for us since the beginning of our friendship. Over hashbrowns (scattered & covered) we’ve talked through the ups and downs of relationships, jobs and friendships. We’ve slung up in one of their booths at all hours of the day and night. We all pretty much order the same thing (“The All-Star Special”)…Ken with his coffee, Chris with his sweet tea and me with my chocolate milk.
A meal shared at Waffle House will almost always be filled with loud laughter. Today was no exception. Our booth was situated next to the cash register and telephone. The place was jumping…every table was full, the counter was packed and new arrivals were waiting for just the hint of someone paying the bill.
Add into all this…an influx of people calling in To-Go orders. In all the times we’ve eaten there, the phone has never rung like it did today.
After the fifth phone call in a 10 minute time span, I took matters…and the phone…into my own hands. When the phone rang for the sixth time, I reached over and answered it. Much to the surprise of the our waitress and much to the embarrassment of Chris.
It was good having some more time with them, since most of yesterday was spent at the car dealership. After we finished eating we made a quick trip over to Tower Records – a shared weakness between Chris and me.
We said our goodbyes in the parking lot. I held it together beautifully.
Then I headed back over to Kevin & Brian’s and got to spend time with both of them. With the previous day’s tour of the house complete we all three could crash in the living room and catch up.
After a good visit, I headed back to Greg & Tom’s to spend some time with them, collect my stuff and head to the airport.
The flight from Charlotte to New York were crowded but I made it on (I flew home on a Buddy Pass from my friend Terry). On these legs of my trip I read more of the wonderful book, Inkheart and watched A Walk to Remember. My friend Malcom had told me about the movie – it is a favorite of his – and we always talked about watching it, but never did. I popped the DVD in and waited to see why it was a favorite of his and so many others.
As I watched it from my 31B seat on US Airways, I found myself trying to cry quietly between my two neighbors. That wasn’t easy.
I really liked it. A completely charming movie. It is a delightful story that’s tender and rich. It was a nice change from Mommy Dearest.
As we approached Manhattan the pilot informed us that from the plane you could see the memorial of two beams of light being sent into the sky from Ground Zero of the World Trade Centers. The lights helped mark the anniversary of the horrific attacks on the U.S. just four years ago. Even after I landed and got back to my apartment on the opposite end of the island, the memorial was still visible. Even as a “new” New Yorker I still feel connected to the sorrow and loss of the city.
I’m lying here in my apartment in Manhattan. It is charming. It is cozy. It is small. It isn’t Atlanta…but it is home.
