Me: That’s almost right. Except, I do have some hobbies. I’ll list them in alphabetical order so you can jot them down. Expert at Uno, the card game, not counting. Reading. Amateur at playing guitar (five-string bass), and dancing the polka with you.
I walk right to the center of Townsquare and pause at the city gazebo, taking a seat on the steps. It’s chilly out, but the fresh air feels so good, and I’m able to breathe so much more deeply than I have in weeks, and it’s invigorating.
Portia: That’s not in alphabetical order.
Me: Yeah, I saved the best for last.
Portia: I hate to break it to you, but I don’t think I’ll ever dance the polka again.
Me: You really shouldn’t. You were terrible.
Me: Next question. Were you going to ask me what my favorite childhood memory is?
Portia: Nope, that wasn’t even on my radar, but why don’t you go ahead and tell.
Me: Don’t mind if I do. You know how Christmas mornings were a big deal at my house, right?
Portia: Yeah
Me: That.
Portia: What about that?
Me: All of that. All of the mornings. Can’t pick one.
Me: Same question to you.
Portia: Well, I played a lot of Barbies when I was little, so anytime Barbie got married was fun, which was like every other day. I don’t know if I can pick just one.
Me: Right, those memories are clearly overshadowed by that stupendous day you first met me.
Chuckling, I consider laying off the silly bragging, but I’m waiting to see if I can get her to agree to anything. Just once I want to hear her say she likes me.
Portia. You seem fairly confident.
Me: Oh, were you going to ask me about my ideal date night?
Portia: No. I wasn’t going to ask you that.
Me: I wasn’t going to answer you about that.
Me: Okay, you want to know my favorite movie? I’ll tell you. The Sandlot.
Portia: I love that movie too!
Me: I have fond memories of it. What’s yours?
Portia: It’s hard to pick just one.
Me: Give me five.
Portia: I’ll say I love romcom, and all those cheesy Christmas movies.
Me: Gah! I just went blind.
Portia: How’s your grandma?
Me: Resting. Peaceful. El is with her.
