Half of it’s gone
Me: Hey, I gotta meet up with my boss after work this week. Do you wanna join us?
Her: Sure! (thinking) Actually, can you leave a little early and swing by my new office? You haven’t seen it yet.
Me: Bet!
My first apartment in Manhattan was on 46th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues, on a street called Little Brazil.
Back then, I worked at 42nd and Broadway, so I could literally wake up 30 minutes before work and be at my desk before anyone.
Like I said, I had so many lives before I started this blog back when I was 32.
Now, the thing is that my current gig is just southeast of my old pad, and Sara’s new gig is just northeast of it.
So, I decided to check out her new digs before we met up with my boss to discuss a case that I was working on.
Her: What do you think?
Me: (shielding my eyes from the bright afternoon sun) Too bad you don’t get any light or views here.
Her: (laughing) Yeah, the windows are awesome, but the sun can be a bit much – that’s why we always have the shades drawn.
We walked past my old pad, and I was shocked to see that half the block was demolished.
Me: WHOA! Everything’s gone!
Her: Is your old building still here?
Me: Yeah, but most of the buildings to the east of it are…gone. (sighing)
Her: Are you ok?
Me: (nodding slowly) Yeah. Everything I knew and loved is fading away. (pointing off across the street) Man, I spent so many nights in my 20s in that Barnes and Noble.
Her: I didn’t even notice that was there.
Me: At least some things I remember are still here.
The place we were meeting my boss was called Valerie, which wasn’t there when I lived there some three decades ago.
We got there first and ordered a few drinks, before my boss came.
But he showed up pretty soon after.
After some pleasantries…
Him: I’ve been here before. Don’t remember what for but I’ve definitely been here.
Me: I think I may have come with you.
Him: What made you pick it?
Me: It’s one of the few places left in NYC where you can still get dollar oysters.
Her: That tracks.
…we settled into a nice conversation where we discussed my case…
Me: What do you think?
Him: It’s interesting. There might be something there. I’ll dig a little bit and let you know what we find.
Me: Sweeeeet.
…and then all chatted.
Her: How many oysters did you get?
Me: 24? Protein!
Nuthin like protein and alcohol for dinner.
Afterward, I snagged the check.
Him: I’ve got it, this is a business dinner.
Me: Nah, it’s my case and I invited you out.
Him: (laughing) OK, next time.
The place was empty when we got there but, by the time we left, the whole place was hopping.
He went east, back to the office or home, while Sara and I walked west to catch our ride uptown.
Her: I’m really impressed with how intelligent your boss is.
Me: He’s literally one of the only people I could ever work for.
Her: Why is that?
Me: Because I respect him. He’s an excellent lawyer and good guy. That’s why I’ve worked for myself for so long – there aren’t too many people I respect enough to do that.
Location: the UWS, narrowly missing a thunderstorm
Mood: humid
Music: So cool, she was like jazz on a summer’s day (Spotify)
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