DISCONNECTING

My husband’s co-worker, Gene, introduced his date, Mary, and the couple joined us for supper at an area restaurant. During the evening, I felt that ‘click’ that indicates I may have just met a new friend. A few weeks later, Mary and I began meeting at the local coffee shop each weekday morning. We spent an hour solving the world’s problems and our own.

In 1982, I learned the World’s Fair would open in Knoxville, Tennessee, May 1. It was probably as close as it ever would be and I wanted to attend, but I didn’t know how I’d manage to. All my life, I’d heard about the exhibit. Before my parents were married, they rode a bus to the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. The trip was the highlight of their courtship.

Shortly after the expo began, Mary, who was a school bus driver, told me she’d be driving the youth group from her church to the fair as soon as school was out and I could ride along. I was elated. Nights, we all spread our sleeping bags on church floors. Later, we showered at the YMCA. Roughing it was worth it when I saw the exhibits from the 22 participating nations.

After that trip, schedules changed–Mary and I could no longer meet for coffee.

In 2017, I ran into Mary at the visitation for a mutual friend. After paying our respects, we rendezvoused outside the funeral home’s front door to chat a bit. We ended our confab with the words, “We need to get together again.” She took my phone number and promised to call after checking her calendar. I still haven’t heard from Mary.

Some say that people come into our lives for a reason and leave when that purpose has been served.

Do you have friends that you haven’t seen for ages but remember fondly?