two hundred eighty

I LOST A GOOD FRIEND TODAY...

 

San Francisco

When I lived in San Francisco I met a man. We had very little in common because we were from very different backgrounds and social circles. We had a few conversations about life and politics over the first year. One day his wife who had been ill for a very long time passed away. 

We talked about important things but mostly guy stuff. He was a Doctor with an obviously successful practice. He had retired years earlier and was healthy for an eighty year old. 

Unfortunately his heart grew weaker over the years. He was always concerned with my wife's health, she has been dealing with a serious illness. We ate in a French Restaurant in Sausalito a few years back. We talked on and off over the years and lately he started to FaceTime. 

I asked how he was then we talked like a couple of guys. I always knew this day would come and wondered if he would return my texts.

Today I was in a mountain pass driving a bus. I was in a very spotty cell phone area and had passengers. I had to cut our call short and had planned to call when I was back in town. 

There was no answer so I left a message. A few hours later the phone rang and it was his daughter. I had no contact with his family we just talked from time to time. She said her father had passed away.

Not knowing this old friend other than our conversations, we were strangers. I gave my condolences and she said she would tell me about the service arrangements. We said goodbye as my heart ached.

I should have taken the time to talk. I wish I could have said goodbye but I didn't realize in the moment it was our last conversation.

I could roll with this guilt trip but he knew how I felt and I knew how he felt. We knew we might be saying goodbye for the last time at the end of most calls. He called me minutes before he died so that means everything. I had no idea I was that important to him.

I miss him.....