Valentine's Day (follow-up)

Welcome back to Steve's Train blah blah Blog! Our train of thought is making another stop, this time picking up right where we left off with the unforgettable 'Audi Anna'. Sometimes the most profound connections aren't the ones we expect, and this travel log is a testament to that. Join us as we navigate the tracks of friendship and understanding.

 

 

February 14, 2016

 

Valentine's Day was sweet and complicated this year.  I spent a wonderful day with my Valentine, my mom, watching a Valentine's Day's Parade on water in Venice, Italy on TV, followed by an hour of a country singer singing the hits from George Strait and Meryl Haggard. At that moment, there no other place I would prefer to be.  Shortly after leaving, I'm on the High Speed LIne- connecting from Camden to Collingswood and my phone is blowing up.

 

A few weeks ago, familiar fellow traveler picked me up in her car outside the station and took me to my home on an ice cold night. Anna is an awesome person, truely, however, she's in the beginnings of a bad divorce. We've chatted on the phone and she wanted to meet at a bar and have a few cocktails.  I told her, maybe coffee, I can't do the bar scene.  She invited me over but I know the outcome.  There's a joint in the ashtray, a sweating bottle of Chardonay on the counter, and a rescue dog that loves to bite. I've been the rebound guy too many times, and it never lasts.

 

The next text  now comes in and it's Anna. Remember, it's Valentine's Day. She's sounds really sad and I just wanted to get home. And then she calls and talks me into coming over.  I did. No joint, she had a cat, but she was definitely drinking. I was equipped with a grande coffee.. The hard talk.

 

I shared losing a girlfriend, that I'm still vulnerable, always will be to alcohol, and I'm just getting over a very difficult transition.  And I told her she's vulnerable and I can't take advantage of that.  "Yes you can", she purred. I said, for now, let's be friends and see where that leads. She cried saying this reminds her of the last scene in Saturday Night Fever, a movie we referenced a few times when the conversation was light. The last scene, they hold hands and decide on a platonic relationship. She hugged me  "friends huh..ok".  I reminded her that a great sequel has never been made, it's not over.   We hung for another hour and her drinking slowed down. 

 

I went home knowing I put myself in a situation that was dangerous but she needed a friend. I enjoyed her company as well.  We agreed on coffee tonight at a coffe house.  After moving to Collingswood 5 months ago, I've met three great people- two are daily friends. 

Let's just say "unconditional love" on the train. I'm not sure if I'm ready for romance yet, but I can never have enough good friends.

A hard conversation at the next stop

Following our last encounter, there was a conversation that needed to happen. It was one of those hard conversations, the kind that can feel like a detour on an otherwise smooth journey. We talked about just being friends, navigating the delicate lines of connection and expectation. It wasn't easy, but sometimes the most challenging moments lead to the clearest paths forward.

What emerged from that difficult conversation was something truly unexpected and heartwarming: a healing conversation. It wasn't about what was lost, but what was solidified – a deeper, more honest connection. It was a surprising and ultimately beautiful turn of events, a reminder that even after challenging discussions, hope can emerge like a sunrise over the tracks.