It was 4 in the afternoon yesterday. I was settled in. My game plan to watch the two semi-final college football games. The second game would end about 11:30. In time for me to catch the ball falling in New York City and then Sushi in the shoe at Bourbon Street. Sushi is carried every year on CNN.
The telephone rang. It was Dee.
She asked, where are we going? Going to what, I asked. Dinner, she said. My response: Holy shit, I forgot!
Dee left to weeks ago to visit family up north for Christmas. She telephoned before she left and said we should have an early dinner together New Year’s Eve. I was to make the arrangements.
It completely escaped me!
I stopped going out on New Year’s Eve years ago. Age, too many people, amateur night, parking a problem. Additionally, I am out many evenings each week. Any night out in Key West is like New Year’s Eve.
What to do? Dee said, we ARE going out! I said yes, BUT you make a reservation somewhere, figure out the parking, and get me home early. Your headache!
Dee called back 10 minutes later. Take a shower and get ready. I will pick you up at 5:30. Dinner at 6 at Martin’s. I will drive and park at the Gato building.
I was ready. Dee not unhappy with me. Chastised me not. We have been friends 25 years. She understands me.
A great evening! Martin’s packed. We had a terrific table on the back side of the bar. Dined on lobsters and champagne. We chatted, we laughed.
Dee pulled off the last minute reservation well. She is an old friend of one of the Martin brothers. He took good care of her.
Dee looked the best I have seen her. She was diagnosed four years ago with a #4 throat cancer. Two years of surgeries, chemo, radiation, etc. followed. Dee took a beating.
She made it, however. God was good.
I was home at 9:15. In bed at 9:30. Intended to watch TV till midnight and watch the ball drop in New York City. Followed by Sushi at Bourbon Street.
Never happened. I fell asleep immediately. The champagne. Slept well. Did not wake once. Opened my eyes this morning rested. Raring to go today.
Today is Meet the Press at 10. Followed by Syracuse/Boston College basketball at noon. The opening of the ACC season. Syracuse a 1o point favorite. Hope the prediction remains true.
Enjoy your New Year day!
Louis, Happy New Years with a lot of years to go writing your blog that we readers cannot live without. Keep blogging, Louis.
Ditto. Louis is on the way to a centenarian. No doubt!
What to do? Dee said, we ARE going out! I said yes, BUT you make a reservation somewhere, figure out the parking, and get me home early. Your headache!
end quote
Boy, what a way to treat an old friend. Especially one that has been through what she has. I hope she is well and can taste those lobsters.
The champagne no problem. Lobsters tasteless. Craved an after dinner drink. Gran Marnier. Two sips followed by two big gulps of water. Burned like hell.
2 years and she still has problems with saliva and taste. I don’t like to hear that.
I’m glad to hear she is cancer free, but, the side effects of throat cancer are not fun. I’m still told this form of cancer is rare, but, it sure seems to be on the increase and I’m trying to find out why. All cancer treatment is tough but throat treatments are some of the most difficult.
“Dee pulled off the last minute reservation well. She is an old friend of one of the Martin brothers. He took good care of her.”
We all need those “special” friends who can work magic. We are lucky to have them in our lives.
Happy 2017! Look forward to the ultimate end and enjoy no matter what happens. Enjoy the ride.
Life is way too short not to.
“Your headache!” What a gentleman. And they say chivalry is dead.