Critical moments

I got a strange compliment today. From an old friend. He'd called when I was upset earlier today over the whole fiasco this weekend. We'd not hung out for a while and so, forewarned of ill moods, we went out to the Mississippi Pizza Pub. And over pizza and a pint, the story of my weekend delivered as with his, and having moved on to other topics, it was delivered. And that connexion made it all somehow better, as if all my travails were not for naught but were, rather, noticed if even by but one. We went for a walk, the sun bright and high in the sky, the wind heavy but not too brisk: Spring. Smoked cigars, cheap and sweet, from a corner market bought. After which we went home, sat on the couch outside, and forgot about harsh years and long silences.