Me: I’ll go with option B.
Portia: Oh, that’s not an option right now because I’m at work.
Me: OK. As your boss, how is work?
Portia: Everything is fine.
Me: I’ll take my question now please?
Portia: What question?
Me: Don’t do that.
I flash my gaze to the sky. This woman really does know how to drive me crazy.
Portia: Do what?
Me: Pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about. I have a whole string of text messages that leaves a solid paper trail clearly showing you have a question to ask me.
Portia: Oh, that question. How’s the weather there?
Me: It’s about to get crazy if someone doesn’t tell me what they are up to.
Portia: Who said I was up to anything?
Me: You seriously don’t have a question for me?
I pause on the corner and wait for the crossing sign to change to 'walk.' People are out, and the city Christmas tree is still up in the town square. All that time in Grandma’s house had left me feeling in a trance, like nothing was real anymore. It’s weird to think how life goes on, despite what anybody’s going through. I cross the street and then check my phone.
Portia: Not right now.
Me: What if I guess?
Portia: You can try.
Me: Okay, you were going to ask me if I like long walks on the beach?
Portia: No.
Me: Oh, well, the answer is yes.
Portia. Ok
Me: Do you like long walks on the beach?
Portia: I don’t really think I’ve ever taken a long walk on the beach. Just a short one across it. Who do you take long walks on the beach with?
Me: Nobody.
Portia: You walk by yourself?
Me: Sometimes when I’m back here, I like to walk along the harbor.
Portia: Interesting.
Me: Next guess. Were you going to ask me what my hobbies are?
Portia: No. You seem like a pretty boring guy who doesn’t have a life outside of work.
