“Hmm…moneeeey” Dana nodded with eyebrows raised and an impressive grin.  “See Shane, aligning yourself with a single entity for can be beneficial even just for financial reasons. Steady…consistent…calming.” 

A yawn threatened her smug features as she continued, “I’m going to have to call it a night soon.” 

Again an opening Shane couldn’t resist, “Well ok grandma – I’m all over the place but at least I can stay up past ten thirty!”

For your information, a scolding Dana interjected, “I have to get up early tomorrow to meet Tina for our morning run.”  

The mention of her name still made us feel like there was an elephant in the room. I’m sure a natural reaction given our history and their being audience to the breakup. 

Reaching for my Perrier I took a sip expecting the conversation to move on but Dana’s eyes were on me, anticipating a reaction.  As I didn’t give her one she pressed on. 

“What’s going on with you two?  Don’t get me wrong – it was wonderful having you both there for my birthday.  Finally a celebration with everyone in the same room, at the same time.  But have you talked yet as in really talked?  She, well she’s doing great at work…plus she’s dating but still something’s not right.  And you – I don’t understand why you’ve given up.  Don’t you want to try anymore?”

Clearing my throat although I didn’t need to, my attempt to restore the jovial banter fell flat.

“Whoa…Dana, one question at a time. I expected the barrage of uncoordinated questions from our perpetually in motion, unaligned to anyone hairdresser friend here but weren’t you the one who was just spouting stability and calm just now?”  

With that she reduced her queries to the single one, “Ok, let’s stick with the last one…don’t you want to try anymore?”  Her disappointment with my past actions supplanted by her wish to see us back together it seemed. 

An undercurrent of her own wanting, one that she seemed unwilling to share with me at this juncture was present.  Thoughts about someone clearly etched in the furrows in her brow.  I hope my openness will allow her to share more of her personal trials eventually as assured reliance strengthened anew between us.