An appointment
“What are you doing now?” I asked a friend I met on the street as I walked through town after an appointment last week. She began to tell me about her current job. I interrupted. “I mean right now? Do you want to get a coffee or lunch?” I was delighted and relieved when she said yes.
It is so hard to court spontaneity in my demographic bracket. Blame surveillance workplace culture. Fobs and desktop apps tracking comings and goings. Blame various responsibilities. Caring. Collecting. Banking. Other appointments. There are few people up for ‘wasting’ time at a moment’s notice, which is the best way to treat time. As an endless resource. What a joyous fiction.
My friend and I spoke of the nice parts of our lives right now, and the difficult parts too. We talked about old friends - the beloved (cosy) and the sundered (a shard of ice) - and new people in our orbit. We made future plans.
I am very emotional thinking about how our paths crossed at the time I needed to sit opposite someone like her. Perhaps specifically her. There was an honesty and love in that afternoon I will cherish for a long time to come. It was a balm.
I wish you an unexpected meeting this week. I wish you an encounter that makes you marvel at how lovely the world can be.