Red Hooded Sweatshirt (with apologies to Adam Sandler)

Those who know me, know that Sam's (Uptown Cafe) is where I go when I just want to grab a quick beer and do a little hanging out. I think most people would be rather unimpressed by its appearance and maybe even find its ambience lacking something to be desired, but these attributes aren't what draw me to Sam's in the first place. To me Sam's is like that comfy college sweatshirt I put on Sunday mornings while I sit on the couch with a cup of coffee and the paper. And it was that college sweatshirt and unbrushed hair I was sporting when I ran into my junior high nemesis (not just for super heroines, kids). It's funny how much we like to think we change. How much we like to think we've forgotten. And how one glance can send you back to a time and place you never thought you could possibly revisit. I didn't speak not because I couldn't, but because I didn't want to and I didn't know what to say. In my defense neither did she. The animosity I once felt was certainly gone, but I was surpised that while I was obviously aware of her presence, I wasn't particularly concerned with what she thought. And yet I find myself thinking about it just the same. Of course I wish I was thinner and I certainly wish I'd looked a lot better when running into her; I really wish I'd been wearing a little lipstick. Had I been looking better I might've been inclined to say hello or smile, but I kind of doubt it. I don't know what kind of person she's become and to be honest I don't care. I was among friends, my oldest friend and one of my newest. And it felt good. I know that I could make more money in another city and maybe I wouldn't be constantly reminded of the lack of dateable men or question my own dateability, but that's probably because I wouldn't go out at all. Sure, I'd have my comfy college sweatshirt and my unbrushed Sunday hair, but I wouldn't have my Sam's.