We discovered that if you play Bruce Springsteen's The River one of you will sing along. The passenger will invariably start singing The Animals' House of the Rising Sun over the top of that and the girl in the backseat will be belting out Bon jovi's Born to Be My Baby before it's through. That song is a chameleon. It's a sham. It's a classic and yet it sounds just like everything else too.
***
The subject came up abruptly after dinner. I am two glasses of wine in when he changes the subject almost rudely.
I have a position in London. Actually, I have several if you truly want a change of scenery.
London?
Yes. Ireland is next door. You could live there and work remotely.
Remotely.
Via computer. He is impatient. Almost rude again.
How long is this available for.
The offer? Say four or five years.
Perfect.
Would you consider?
Of course. Just not now. Henry is too young.
Alright. We'll revisit it in a few years. Can you see yourself living overseas?
Yes.
Good. It's something to consider.
***
Still okay with our conversation? I get a text during dinner. He wants to make sure everything is okay. I didn't go home last night, I was with him, and so tempers have flared, singeing the edges of everything in sight. I head over but he's already on my patio steps when I come outside.
Looking at real estate.
That sounds like you're okay to me.
I found some things.
For all of us?
No. I think if we left that would be it for the Collective.
You said last week you wouldn't break it up for anything.
Hey, I'll invite them but they have to be willing to come with us.
You don't think they will be?
It's a gamble.
Life is, you mean.
That too.
He kisses the top of my head. Don't worry about it today.
Uh-huh. Now it's all I can think about. Congratulations, Batman. You got me to consider the future for the first time since 2007.
***
The subject came up abruptly after dinner. I am two glasses of wine in when he changes the subject almost rudely.
I have a position in London. Actually, I have several if you truly want a change of scenery.
London?
Yes. Ireland is next door. You could live there and work remotely.
Remotely.
Via computer. He is impatient. Almost rude again.
How long is this available for.
The offer? Say four or five years.
Perfect.
Would you consider?
Of course. Just not now. Henry is too young.
Alright. We'll revisit it in a few years. Can you see yourself living overseas?
Yes.
Good. It's something to consider.
***
Still okay with our conversation? I get a text during dinner. He wants to make sure everything is okay. I didn't go home last night, I was with him, and so tempers have flared, singeing the edges of everything in sight. I head over but he's already on my patio steps when I come outside.
Looking at real estate.
That sounds like you're okay to me.
I found some things.
For all of us?
No. I think if we left that would be it for the Collective.
You said last week you wouldn't break it up for anything.
Hey, I'll invite them but they have to be willing to come with us.
You don't think they will be?
It's a gamble.
Life is, you mean.
That too.
He kisses the top of my head. Don't worry about it today.
Uh-huh. Now it's all I can think about. Congratulations, Batman. You got me to consider the future for the first time since 2007.