On the 'everything happens for a reason' beat...
I am, at present, in Boston. I came up for a teacher recruitment fair on Wednesday (yes, I think it went quite well, although I have to get transcripts and other things I didn't expect to deal with ever again). Called my best friend to let her know I was in town. Learned things were 'better' between her and her boyfriend (there was an 'incident' about a month back, but it was not technically abuse). Got a call Wednesday night. Boyfriend had been arrested (we're still not sure what the charge was). Best friend panicking (like serious, actual anxiety attack). So I went over, with leftovers (she hadn't eaten all day because she'd been home with a migraine, which had precipitated the argument that led to boyfriend calling the cops and getting himself arrested), stopping at Friendly's for sundaes, because ice cream can cure just about anything. Well, the ice cream counter girl was only slightly faster than molasses running uphill in January in Alaska, and when I got to best friend's place (which actually belongs to the boyfriend), she had just heard from the police that he'd bailed himself out and was headed...home. In fact, his cab pulled up right after I did. Naturally, more panic ensued. Finally calmed her down enough to throw some stuff in a suitcase (well, eventually it was a suitcase, two smaller bags, her laptop and accoutrements, a couple of pillows and a comforter, but that's what happens when you pack in a hurry). Took her to mom's, where she's staying until she can work thru this and wrap her brain around it all. And also, find an extremely cheap (yet clean and safe) place to live, as she works part time and doesn't really drive. At some point, she'll need to go back for the rest of her stuff, which means we have to find somewhere to put it (my mom has taken over every storage space in the house - it's quite impressive - and the reason I've never cleared out my closet or dresser). For now, at least she's out of his house, in a safe space that's at least somewhat T accessible (commuter rail about 1/2 mi one way, bus to Alewife T station about 1/3 mi the other). And at least this happened while I was home to come pick her up and talk her into leaving. She never would have made the move to mom's without me here to press it on her, even though mom had offered directly, in the wake of the incident (mom's never liked boyfriend, and neither have I, to be honest). Still, it's been a strange week.
On the more upbeat side of life:
I AM IN BOSTON. ANYONE CARING TO JOIN ME FOR SIX NATIONS RUGBY TOMORROW AM (I assume all of you have jobs and will not, therefore, be joining slacker-me for the Wales-France game this afternoon) SHOULD GO TO PHOENIX LANDING IN CENTRAL SQUARE. FIRST GAME STARTS AT 10 am; $20 pay-per-view covers both games. My mom may or may not join us. Best friend has to work. ANYONE CARING TO SEE ME, BUT NOT RUGBY, SHOULD CALL ME AT MOM'S (781 729 2387) or on the cell (202 468 8237). You can also text the cell. It's a new phone and actually rings when people call and doesn't hold my voice mails hostage. It's a nice change. I may be leaving as early as Sunday, or as late as Wednesday, depending on weather and best friend.
On the more upbeat side of life:
I AM IN BOSTON. ANYONE CARING TO JOIN ME FOR SIX NATIONS RUGBY TOMORROW AM (I assume all of you have jobs and will not, therefore, be joining slacker-me for the Wales-France game this afternoon) SHOULD GO TO PHOENIX LANDING IN CENTRAL SQUARE. FIRST GAME STARTS AT 10 am; $20 pay-per-view covers both games. My mom may or may not join us. Best friend has to work. ANYONE CARING TO SEE ME, BUT NOT RUGBY, SHOULD CALL ME AT MOM'S (781 729 2387) or on the cell (202 468 8237). You can also text the cell. It's a new phone and actually rings when people call and doesn't hold my voice mails hostage. It's a nice change. I may be leaving as early as Sunday, or as late as Wednesday, depending on weather and best friend.