47.

Ben is visiting for a few days. It’s been almost two years since we last saw each other. We meet at the hotel bar, and before I know it, we’re lost in conversation.

“How is San Francisco? How’s your mom? How are things going with your girlfriend?” I ask.

We talk about all those things for a while. I miss his mom. I miss her smile and the way she used to put both her hands on my cheeks and call me “chamuda.”

“You’re still liking Victoria, I take it?” Ben asks. “Are you still seeing that guy? What’s his name again?”