A very good evening.

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We started out last evening under suspicious stars, perhaps the beginnings of a disastrous night? First, from our phone call conversation, I had said I would arrive at about 17:30 (5:30 pm to your eyes), but she had suggested I not arrive at her place until 18:00, in order to be to the dinner by 18:30. However, and for once, we both listened to the other so that I then decided to arrive at 18:00 while she expected me there at 17:30! I, of course, receive a call as I am preparing to leave asking where I am. “On my way, I will be there in moments”. Both of us have enough of our clocks running at various times (variously fast, so as to attempt to arrive early… both of us seem to fight and lose this battle, and often anyway) so that actual time may never be known (at least in the heat of battling time). In any case, I was running late even so and as usual. I arrive at her place at more like 18:15. But she is ready! So, we bundle her up as I help her put on her coat. She is wearing a skirt! This is only the second time I have seen her dressed in anything but slacks or jeans in all the time I have known her (the first time was at a viewing of Cats, and that being the first time I met her eight years past). As we are leaving, I following her around to open the vehicle door for her, but she finds ice and wearing her nice shoes no less, she slips and falls! We recover her as gracefully as we may. We first take a few moments to decide if she is still whole, then collect her few things which have slipped her grasp or person, and then I help her up, and assist her to the vehicle much more carefully. I had not seen the ice when entering, as there was no ice from my side of the vehicle to the door and it was dark.

Once we are assured all is good and she is safely in the vehicle, we begin to talk. She has no idea, other than very generally, where we are going. Fine, really, we will go and see. When we get to the place where the dinner is to be held (the press box of Kinnick Stadium) we spot others she knows from work going in. We ask them for directions. Other than the building however, they do not know either. They suggest they will wait for us, so we park and hurry in (no ice so we can move a bit easier). Along with our new temporary associates, we meet another work associate who seems to be leaving (apparently he was merely dropping someone off). He indicates where we need to go. We arrive in plenty of time. I am glad that neither of us fussed about the time and such, and just went with the flow the whole way throughout. It made the rest of the evening much more pleasant, with no bitter recriminations or such hanging in the air to spoil things.

The meal was good. We sat with a few other people from work. She pointed out a few people she has talked about from work, her bosses, a few co-workers, and some of their spouses she knows. We spoke with a few of these and with each other until it was our time to eat. In line for the meal, she asked my opinion about a few people and things, as is always the case. And, I offered what I could, for opinions and thoughts. She, oddly, took the last of the beef, and a good load of it. With my knowledge of her tastes and not wishing to wait new plates of beef, I took a piece of pork and a piece of salmon. When we were seated, I waited just enough for her to become comfortable and offered her a taste of the salmon and pork. She insisted on tasting the beef first. She thought it was decent, but certainly not as good as her mother’s beef but it did not have the fake additives that often ruin beef. Then she tried the salmon. It was heaven to her. And, for salmon, which I do not like, it was good enough for me to have eaten in a pinch. In any case, she offered all the beef she had for the salmon. (A little knowledge and forethought often pays for itself, handsomely.) The deal was made. I even gave some of the pork (which was also quite good, very good actually). It ended up being a very nice meal and in good company.

As the time was approaching, we decided to excuse ourselves a bit early to be sure to make it to the Englert in time for the show. And though we had both fortune and misfortune this evening, it was difficult to know how well parking, timing, traffic, and such would work. So, I suggested once we got to the theater, I would stop in front, help her out, then park and return to join her. A plan is always good when many unknowns are sure to be in company with an event. We arrived near the building at least 15 minutes before the show was to start. Traffic was crawling by, and luckily. A car parked nearly in front of the theater was trying to pull out. Traffic had stopped us and my vehicle with just enough room for that car to back out. Traffic was trying to push me forward, I presume the guy behind me wanted that spot too as he refused to back up an inch or go around when that was available. I think he thought there would not be room for the car to back out. In any case, we got the spot. Once parked, I admonished my date not to exit until I had come around to help her out. And with good reason, there was a small pile of irregular and sloping ice where she would have stepped as it turns out.

On to the show. She picked up her tickets and in we went. This evening, by the way, is my Christmas present I am informed. So, I need not pay as we had discussed. Fine by me, as it is a very good present. Even with it’s quirks, it has been a good day so far. Into the theater proper and to our seats we go. The stage, of course, is set. I had not been in this theater since they rebuilt and rededicated it. Actually, I had never been in the place. They have done a fine job and as it turns out, I am pleased that they made the effort (if I am a bit of a doubter so I had not participated… shame on me… but then this is not my home… anyway, grist for the mill when I do find a home). We looked over the playbill and both of us were a bit surprised. The singing, or a significant part of it, was to be operatic, or performed by opera singers, or both. We could not quite tell, but the indications were in that vein. In spite of her not preferring opera (while I enjoy it to some degree), we were curious. When the time neared, the actors and singers for the first scene set, we were both ready, excited really, for the start.

As the thing unfolded, as it was laid out at the beginning, something got in my eyes and a tear or three were produced. Odd how dust can do that. It WAS dust, until I could blink the thoughts away anyway. It was a very good show. It was a mix of opera (Hayden) and traditional Christmas songs, with a non-speaking play going on in, through out, and around the vocals. It was of a family, with a member off to war, possibly to return for Christmas or not, listening to a radio, singing themselves, or with visiting carolers, having a family situation during a Christmas Eve past. It was, beautiful! It was well done, enticing, enthralling, and warm, earthy, human, and loving. I understood the songs and so had thought it was all in English. My date, however, suggested that some of the songs were in German. Weird, but I understood, though I am quite sure I no longer really speak or understand German. Anyway, the show continued to recession. She was thirsty and needed to use the facilities, so we relinquished our seats temporarily and acquitted ourselves to the commons area. I suggested a 7-Up to cut the thirst, and she agreed before attending her affairs. All they had was Sprite, but it was enough if not 7-Up. When she finished tending her needs, and after a sip of the offering, she asked I could locate Ibuprofen, Tylenol, or some such. It seems her wrist, which she had used to arrest her fall, was paining her and increasingly. I went forth and procured, through a bit of detective work, begging, and offers of cash (which were refused), a few of these pills for her. She took those and we returned to claim our seats. Right as time had drawn to a close for continuation, she asked about ice, indirectly as is her way. I would have done so, but I believe they lock the theater at stage time and I did not have time to do so. I should have thought of this myself and earlier, but then I never use ice or heat packs myself if I know they can be helpful (then again, I did use them when my ribs were bruised or broken, but that was unusual). The last half of the show was just as splendid as the first. The singing was first rate, the setting was all it needed to be, and what was conveyed was a Christmas present all by itself. In the last scene, I thought I saw my date cry.

When the show was finished, we casually exited and returned to the vehicle. Once safely inside and on our way, I had to ask if she had indeed cried during the final scene. She had, she said. I mentioned that, in case she had seen, there was dust in the place at the beginning for me. We discussed the show and the evening. I think we had both had a wonderful time. Then I asked if she had ice at home. She did not, so I set forth to procure such. I was sure she would need it, want it. This time I would not leave a detail untended. On the way, however, she realized she did not have her house key. She had not brought her purse or her vehicle (so her keys), and had not thought of it. Though we have not lived together for 4 years now, I wondered if I had those keys yet. I had found some keys in my meanderings through my goods but could not find what they belonged to. It turns out I did have such, so there was no loss there. We got her to her place, with ice, and keys. I crushed several smaller bags of ice for her, checked to see if there was anything else she needed, and with nothing else needed, I returned home for a pleasant cool down and then rest.

I needed last night. It will be the only time I will be in the Englert. It has been a difficult semester and relaxation has been rare. And it was good to have an enjoyable evening with a dear friend, one I may never see after I leave. My life is more full of goodbyes than I can count or even remember the events in which they are involved. This one I would like to remember. Though this one might be a little different. I had already decided, before I knew I would be leaving, to buy her a computer for Christmas. She prefers a laptop, so that is what it will be. We will look at Best Buy for the right size, something she can handle carrying and with the right size monitor for her, then I will pick a few things to try to make sure the device will be enough that she does not end up with paperweight in two years. So, we will be able to stay in touch a bit easier.

Well, back to it. I need to study.