The darker the night, the brighter the day. Our midnight return home felt very far away the next morning, when we woke to sunshine and the brightness of a new day. All around, the flowers were in bloom, transitioning into the bearded iris and roses and snowdrop anemones that put forth their own enchantment. As dark as the previous night had been, I never once felt afraid, thanks to the company of Kira. A good friend can do that – inspire confidence and courage when the world should by all accounts be a frightening place. At my best, I hope I can offer a little of the same in return. Our time together in Boston has been a comfort for all these years because I think it makes us both feel a little less alone.
Whether it be run-ins with witches, bedeviled roundabouts to dinner, or a midnight rush to beat the bad spirits, we survive by relying on each other. All bewitching, no bewilderment.
Every time we share a weekend like this, I feel a little better about everything. Good friends have such restorative powers. That makes a Sunday departure somewhat of a sadder affair, even as the sun casts its own spell in the petals and beard of an iris.
The stage has been set for the summer to come. I’ve invited Kira for a weekend by the pool, and we shall return to Boston when we get another chance. Little glimmers of hope to make our goodbye less bitter and more sweet.
He’s a fool and don’t I know it,
But a fool can have his charms…
