38 Comments
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Robin Yaklin's avatar

Now I’m hungry and it’s not dinnertime yet.

Abigail Thomas's avatar

Dinnertime is anytime you're hungry. Eat

Georgetta Hughes's avatar

A melancholy memory that brought me with you.

Abigail Thomas's avatar

I'm glad, and thank you. Now your turn for a melancholy memory, Georgetta.

Maureen C. Berry's avatar

Once upon a time, I had a restaurant with many customers whom I fed without uttering a word. It was pure comfort. Thank you for this memory. Hugs.

Abigail Thomas's avatar

Lucky you! I bet it was terrific.

Maureen C. Berry's avatar

It was fabulous. One man, Bob, whom we affectionately called 310, his regular order was black coffee, two eggs over medium and one slice dry wheat toast, cost $3.10. Those were the days. xo

BTW, I'm still foraging for twigs and pine needles and acorns to make my little forest people. At this rate, I'll have a tiny village! haha

Abigail Thomas's avatar

Don't forget to send photos of what you make! Please!

Lynda Heines's avatar

Beautiful, but sad, piece. I hated to put a heart. I wanted to put a hug.

Abigail Thomas's avatar

oh, a hug. Thank you very much.

Jeanne Guy's avatar

I hate that he's not here. Got any ice cream around?

Abigail Thomas's avatar

you bet I do. thanks.

Mesa Fama's avatar

That made my eyes tear up. Thank you, Abigail.

Dawn Levitt's avatar

So many of the good places we liked closed during the pandemic. But we have found new favorites since then. The one little restaurant just around the corner survived Covid only to burn to the ground a year later. My husband is still looking for the perfect cheeseburger since they are gone.

Jude's avatar

Dang, just dang...

Abigail Thomas's avatar

Thank you, Jude. Perfect response.

Holly Starley's avatar

Beautiful capture of the way life mixes ups wonders with the ingredients available it can never repeat because of the ephemerality of those ingredients.

Abigail Thomas's avatar

Thank you. What a good way to put it. Just like that.

Kate Mapother's avatar

Some people and places simply aren’t repeatable. It’s awful and beautiful.

Brenda Gaughan's avatar

Makes my heart smile and then ache. Thank you.

Abigail Thomas's avatar

Thank you, Brenda. Me too.

One Wild and Precarious Life's avatar

Aw, Abigail. I read all of your posts. This esp. was poignant as my 50th high school reunion was this weekend, and although I did not attend, I read the list of who did in facebook, and who was originally in our graduating class of '73, and who have passed on. So many have already left this earth. I was caught off guard. This piece encapusalates the immediate hit of memory with the days and the friends who have gone by.

Ally Hamilton's avatar

I used to call my mom when I was driving alone in my car, after I dropped my kids at school, or anytime I found myself alone in my car, really, which wasn’t often as a single mom. I still have the urge to call her when I’m driving, though it’s been three years since that was a possibility. And there are days I still forget that I can’t. I loved this, even though it hurt. And I’m very sorry for your loss.

Diane Reukauf's avatar

Oh my heart—the ongoingness of loss. As simple and normal as a burger and fries or the closing of a favored lunch spot. So damn tender, Abby.