Without A

I admit it sounds odd, but sometimes life is and offers no explanation.

And so it was today when my forever friend, Joan, arrived with her clan of female beauties. Within seconds, the yesterdays of our lives seemed to evaporate.

The reunion of memories of lost loves, friends, and fellow travelers had been planned several times before.

Unfortunately, it never materialized.

It was never anyone’s fault, but something always intervened, and so this year I was dubious.

Or perhaps to be honest, afraid, that it would not happen once again.

But it did, and suddenly two, how shall I say, “mature” women faded quickly into the amazing facade we now only remember, called youth.

The memories slid back without effort, and our laughter accompanied each one. She and I had met as children walking the two blocks to parochial school on West 60th Street in what was once described as Hells Kitchen.

The tightly knit bonds of friendship remained until we both found love “out of the neighborhood.”

Joan’s trio of lovely daughters and lone granddaughter were curious about how a friendship endured despite distance and obviously, time for over half a century.

Looking across the table at my forever friend, I was unsure how to respond.

Then I remembered, not only how much we had shared in those ever so important formative years, but also, how she always inspired me to do more and do it better.

If my friend knew the word fear, she never admitted it. More importantly, she always refused to allow her timid younger friend to indulge in its grim reality.

Tonight as we both enjoyed an amazing meal respite with laughter and questioning from the younger guests, I know we both realized it probably will be our last encounter.

Time and distance do not encourage another reunion, and this memorable evening most likely will be our last hurrah.

I also knew we were both determined to leave each other with the pretense it was just until “next time.”

I think we succeeded in accomplishing that admirably. .

Yet in our heart of hearts we also admit that there is a time and place for all things, even last goodbyes said with a smile, not a tear.

And that’s because we will never stop being friends.