I'd like to tell you about a movie night I attended recently. I approached the front of the house as usual, preferring to leave my shoes in the little corner of the living room dominated by an overworked coat tree. Through the living room window there was a warm glow of light and a Christmas tree still but, curiously, I saw no one. Was it remotely possible that I had lost track of the week this badly, that I was now climbing the two or three steps into a Monday evening or even a Tuesday, a lost little evening rung in and out with only a few hollow footfalls up the steps and taps at the front door? Hard to be sure. It wasn't until I could see through the little window in the door that I found them as they were, all on the floor, below the eye level of an observer positioned on the street, quietly stunned for a moment in a cold picture square of door glass.I opened the door and was met by warm air and people, threats of French toast but, also curiously, no takers. I accepted some tea from Jamalieh. It was decaffeinated and healthful, at least nominally, and I expected Derek to make fun of me for it as he had earlier in the week. He only smiled and I forgot my plan to make a joke on his behalf. As he is not much of a drinker and generally well spoken he left me little opportunity anyway.
At 8:05 my brother called me from many time zones away. I paced around the living room, greedily taking in his opinions about Obama, his plans for after May and the ambient sounds of socializing in the kitchen. The conversation went on for a while and when I rejoined the party I found that they had waited graciously for me to finish to begin the movie.
We watched a really weird movie and ate a box of Donettes.
And then Kara drove some of us home, which was nice. Thanks, Kara.
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