Conveniently, he inserted his number into the message with an invitation to call, so I didn't need to go online.
Next day I phoned. After some exploratory remarks and a mom update
we agreed to meet for dinner. I think we were both groping a bit and felt reassured. Everyone dreads the worst these days- from people and situations. They do nothing without thinking 'what if...'
'Ok, what day', your call, you work', I heard him say, reasonably.
Work! Thanks for reminding me, I thought. But I said,
'A week from Thursday'?
'Fine, where'?
'I dunno. Any ideas'?
At that time (somehow) I had the notion that Carl lived in Battery Park, not Washington Square. I didn't want him travelling far, disabled as he was. Then he surprised me:
'Let's go somewhere nice'.
'Ok', I said, slowly, guessing 'nice' an abstraction meaning different things to different people. Words are deceiving. But it got us in the ball park. I should have suggested Joe Allen's, midtown, because they have a good liver steak. And it was certainly nice. But, recalling Carl's arthritis-plagued hands, I reconsidered. Travel to midtown from Battery Park entailed the opening of many doors.
'I still dunno'.
Then came a short list that sounded like a roll call.
'What about John's? Or Gene's? Or Caroline's?
I quickly passed on John's and Caroline's, because they weren't nice. That left Gene's.
'Gene's, Gene's...wherzit'? , I asked.
'11th between 5th and 6th, closer to 6th. I've never been'.
The name rang a bell. I remembered going there for Thanksgiving, a few years ago. It was nice.
'Gene's it is. I was there once, a while ago. The carrot stick's are good'.
'Fine. If you decide you wanna change, we can change. And, remember, it's my treat. I owe ya'.
'No worry, Carl. Gene's is fine'.
I began to hang up, but heard him say:
'What time'?
For me, Fridays are light. But I didn't care to be out too late Thursday night.
'Seven'?
'Seven's good. Meet you outside'.
I liked this light conversation between two people trying to hook up, thinking about one another and what's best for the other. Very nicely written, thank you for sharing. RoseAnn
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
A concern for the other, Loved reading it