When a friend comes to play

I remember having a friend who lived next door. Life was so easy then, meander over, stay a while, cut out paper dolls, play library or bank, get a snack, ignore her brothers and then go home for dinner.

Times have changed.

We pretend it is a nonchalant business as usual oh yeah this happens every day visit. We talk about what we cooked for dinner last night, the kids, our houses, our dreams and our hopes, real and dashed.
We day dream of trips to take, drink coffee, eat scones with clotted cream and strawberries all the while talking and laughing out loud.

Lately my friend has been bringing the toys. Rugs, lamps, magazine clippings, fabric, pitchers, frames by the dozen, heart shaped sugar cubes, and pink feather trees, lots of them.

And then we play. Play house? Play store? Play interior design service? We move it all around, shake it all up and at the end of the day are quite pleased with ourselves and very tired.

Because the reality of it is, this friend has traveled three hours to be here, we go to bed, and get up and do it all over again. Ground Hog Day has nothing on us. Until there have been so many days in a row it is all a blur and we are just too tired to play anymore. Ad then it is time, we wave goodbye and look forward to our respective respites and our next visit.

There is nothing nonchalant about it. A best friend is not nonchalant. They are there, for you, no matter what and I know what I'm talk'in about!