On a first date, I asked her what she likes to do when she’s not working. She told me and I immediately forgot. I thought she was about to ask me the same question in return. Instead, she asked whether I thought Tweety Bird was a boy or a girl.
The first time we tried to kiss, I banged my front teeth against hers. I said sorry, I’m out of practice.
She introduced me to her parents over dinner. Afterwards, we played cards, and when there was a change in the leader of the game, I announced it with a cartoon voice. Later, after they returned home, her mother called and asked her with complete sincerity if her new boyfriend is retarded.
English was her second language so there was always a delay before she laughed at one of my quips. Frequently, we would be well into another dialogue and she would suddenly burst out laughing. Such joie de vivre.
She asked me how I would describe myself when I’m at my best. Without committing, I tried out a few words to see how they felt – kind, loving, energized, creative, mindful.
That’s good, she said.
But there’s more – patient, calm, generous.
Those are good too, she said.
But I was on a roll.
