If we never met again in our lives I should feel that somehow the whole adventure of exitence was justified by my having met you. (Lewis Mumford)

“Well, if you're ever in Topanga you should go to the park there. There are a ton of amazing hiking tracks and...” He smiled like he was sharing a joke with himself. “I forget that most people aren't interested in the kind of things I am.”

I didn't know what to say. I had never hiked before. This would have been the perfect moment to say something and get a wholesome hiking date out of him, probably even a picnic.

In a temporary loss of cognitive function I leaned back and said, “This is my grandfather, this is Christian.” Politely they shook hands and exchanged a How-you-doing? I saw the look: How does this crazy chick know my name? That's why I was so glad to burst out of the church and breath in the sultry fresh air, okay, fresh is a relative term.

It was hot. I pulled off my church cardigan and took my hair out of the tightass bun before I even got to the car. I held the door open for Senior and he climbed in. I looked back toward the church before I got in and my eyes gazed over Christian who, of course, just looked up as I looked at him, undoubtedly assuming the crazy chick was staring.

He waved and called out, “Have a good week, Honey.”