Veuillez S’attarder Ce soir

It is only fitting that the sequel to last late summer should also end on the train platform…

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It was 7:45, and I stood there, on the corner of Allen and Stanton waiting to see her car.  She had called to tell me she was running late, and it only compounded my growing excitement and fear. 

"Are you sure you arent going to run the other way when you see me?" She says…  No, no.  I wont.  I promise.

Finally, I sighted her bright yellow car, as it passed me by.  I ran across four lanes of traffic to jump into the passenger seat.  She hugged me and kissed me on the cheek.  We talked, about parking and the venue, as a million thoughts raced through my mind.  We parked, and I stood in front of her on the sidewalk, remarking on her height.

Wow, you really are taller than me.  "Oh, no I’m not that much taller…"

We went to the concert, and it was beyond wonderful.  She paid for everything, although i protested.  The band was incredible.  Somehow, I kept looking over at her, like she was an apparition that would disappear if not watched.

Is it a coincidence that these songs are the ones I cried to when I chose regret over guilt?

When the band had played, we went out again into the evening.  Got something to eat, and again she refused to let me pay.  We sat on the sidewalk smoking endless cigarettes, and talked for a long time.  She showed me pictures in her phone from her trip to california.  I showed her pictures of the kids.  Time flew by, and we sat together, shoulders touching lightly.  A strange man peddled a book called "The Passion of Fo Shizzle Monizzle", and I purchased it for her.  It was hillarious. 

I kept looking at my phone, hoping by some miracle that 10:37 wasnt what I saw…

When it was time to go, we walked to the car and she maneuvered through the traffic across town.  When we approached the PATH station, she pulled aside and asked what time it came.  "11:15", I said.  "Well then, I wont kick you out yet".  We talked for the next ten minutes or so, and then she decided to walk me to the platform.

"You know, if you need me to, I could take you home"… No, you’d never get home.

We stood there, as I waited to buy my card.  She remarked that she has zoo passes.  That the kids might enjoy it, you know, if I want to go.  A train passed, briefly making me fearful/hopeful that I’d missed it.  But, it did arrive.  She went in to hug me, and her lips brushed mine ever so lightly.  Shaken and blind, I rushed on to the impatient train.

I grinned like an idiot the whole way to Hoboken.  I didnt get home until past 1, still smiling.  I called to let her know I got home, and we talked for a while.  There was just no overcoming the high disbelief.  I met her.  I really did.

I still can’t believe it.