June152009
6/14/09 - Written on a Napkin.
I found this while sorting through my belongings, packing for home.
It must have been from nearly two years ago. I can’t recall now, where Andrew and I were sitting at the time. Maybe it was T-bar, maybe El Vez, or Mizu Sushi. In any case, we were out somewhere, waiting for our food. Suddenly, he grabbed at a napkin and pulled out his pen.
I remember watching him, amused. The softness of the napkin seemed to call for unusual effort. Painstakingly, he drew his symbol and wrote the message, each stroke’s pressure apparent in the thick and thin of blue ink.
I remember the way he quickly slid the napkin in front of me, smile secretive. He’s like that, sweet at the most unexpected moments.
***
For all the disagreements we have, it’s amazing that we’ve only become better friends. There were certainly times when we frustrated and exhausted each other, but he was the one who showed me how we can agree to disagree, how we can hold strong opinions but remain open-minded.
My brutally honest Andrew will say anything he needs to say. There is no sugar-coating with this man. Nevertheless, he is one of the most gracious I know in arguments. He may not be convinced by another’s stand, but he will always acknowledge its validity. That’s a difficult thing to do, being fair when it gets personal.
My gravitation towards openness began with Andrew.
Point taken, a phrase of his that’s become part of my mindset and speech.
***
When I told my friend over the phone that I am moving back to Taiwan, he sighed, I am never going to see you again.
Nonsense.
Technology has reduced our world to the size of days.
In fact, I soon discovered that it’s cheaper and easier on my travelling if I stop by San Francisco before flying back to Taiwan. I wrote Andrew to see if I could stay with him for a few days.
His reply:
Dear Foodbuzz Featured Publisher,
Those dates will not work
A friend is staying here then
Her name is ABby
Love,
The Haiku Bandit
Every time we talk, I am reminded of how we make each other smile.
***
The last time we spent time together was around Thanksgiving, when he visited Philly. I keep thinking back to the moment before he left through our fire escape.
Andrew had held me in his arms, Think of me.
I often do, I had replied.
It’s still true, I often do.
