Now where was I?

Rick's roadhouse the day after Christmas was like being in an alternate universe. I was sandwiched between

two regulars, Walter and Blue Plaid and Jerry and Red, my very own wise men, if you will. If the

wise men were annoying and Jesus had decided to doom scroll their ex,

the soundtrack to this already pathetic picture was a cover band in the corner

crooning some barely passable version of Bonium.

Oh joy!

But I barely heard them.

I couldn't stop staring at the big glaring red on my messages to Vernon.

I probably should have stopped after sending the first one, but in the

blink of an eye I was staring at a wall of my ignored text all left on red, all taunting me.

I'll paraphrase. Hey Vernon, Merry Christmas!

So crazy running into you midair and so sorry if I made you feel weird,

I did not read the room.

Ha ha!

Anyways, I just wanted to say hi again normally this time no innuendos I promise

I hope we get a chance to connect on your way home and get off on a better foot

but not get off-off-l-l-L-O-L, and no foot stuff either,

unless you're into that now.

I'm joking, Avvy.

Hey, maybe I'll even pick you up at the airport.

Are you flying to JFK? Do you need a ride?

...