To old friends

Thirty years ago when I started my career in banking I met an intelligent quiet man with an endearing personality.  He was the comptroller of the small bank where I worked.  He wasn't pompous and arrogant as I expected from a person holding such a prestigious title. Thinking back I realize most of the officers of this bank were genuinely good people, not at all like the bank officers I had worked with at my previous employment.  There was a family atmosphere among all the employees of the bank.  But I digress.  The gentleman I was speaking of (Earl) enjoyed enjoyed getting together Friday after a pay day at a local restaurant and lounge with friends and bank employees to de-stress.  it was always a fun evening listening to music, dancing, drinking and telling stories on one another.  Lots of laughs.  When the band quit at 11 P.M. the party adjourned and everyone went home.  I always had a feeling my friend went home reluctantly.  I found out years later his wife had some mental issues and his home life was difficult but to the end he was faithful to her.

Earl retired almost two decades ago and in that time I had only seen him once or twice.  One day after reminiscing with a friend about the good old days when banks were operated much like a family business rather than the big conglomerates we have today, I decided to find out where he was and what he was doing with himself.  A couple of inquiries later I had an e-mail address and was once again in contact with him.

I have heard that with true friends they may be separated for years but when they meet again it is as if there never was a separation.  That is the way it felt when we met for lunch a few weeks later.  After a warm hug we immediately started conversation without any uneasiness as if we had just seen each other a week ago.  We talked congenially for quite some time making the waiter nervous wondering if we were going to order lunch or just drink his free water.  We did finally order and two hours later I felt guilty about occupying the restaurants valuable space without ordering more food so we said our good byes. 

Before we parted Earl asked me to join him Friday evening with friends for drinks and live music like we did all those many years ago.  Not one to turn down a good time, I accepted even though I wasn't sure who his friends were.  As I suspected his friends were three very nice elderly men.  Since I am now considered a senior citizen I hesitate describing these gentlemen as elderly.   As my father would put it, some young whipper snapper may think someone in their sixties.  No, I am talking late seventies and eighties.  These old goats were not frail old guys.  They were having the time of their old lives waltzing me around the floor.  Two of the gentlemen were there with their wives so they did not ask me to dance.  There was one man closer to my age who I danced with several times.  I won't call him a gentleman.  While on the dance floor he started asking me to see him.  He suggested we chat on the internet.  I asked if he was on facebook.  He was but wanted to chat in a chat room or something less public.  When I told my friend he apologized for the guy.  Turns out he is married.  Sweet!  Good thing I wasn't interested in him, huh?