"hi. nice to meet you."

small talk made.

"so how did you two meet?"

pause. we look at each other. i wait for you to tell the story, just to see what you would say, how you would say it.

pause lengthens. i think about how that led to this. this moment. this span of time where i am with you and we are together, just the two of us, just the two of us roaming the stores, the streets.

and i see, in your eyes, you thinking of the story, as well.

"through a mutual friend."

and that, as small, as simplified as that is, works.

the oddest of connections, the oddest first conversation i have maybe possibly ever had.

and the best friendship ive ever known.

moving on.

my head hurts. i need to eat. my food is across the room. eh.

i was taken to the mall. i think it might have been as... interference for the friend jan. see, joey came along.

there's something there. thats all im saying. that, and the fact it was really awkward for me to see them together, if only because i was the third one hanging out. no one to at least hang back and make fun of something with.

the best part of the evening happened in a toy store. they went in, for me, because im huge on toys, and i found my way back to the front of the store. i was squatting down, picking up this drumstick so i could play the drums.

this little kid, not more than a little over a year old, comes walking by and picks up the other drumstick.

i make a quick decision and decide to play the drums with the kid.

he's beating on the drums, but its not making any sound.

you see, the drums were those kind that arent drums but electronic.. uh.. drums.

so i reach over and tap a button and the thing turns on. i move back a little.

im still squatting.

the little kid looks at me a second, then looks down at the button i pushed.

he reaches down and pushes the button. changes the volume, turns it off.

so he turns it up as loud as it can go and starts hitting the pads.

i reach under his arm and change the tempo... to... salsa or the like.

he pauses, takes in the other buttons, starts tapping them as well.

so im hitting the pads with him, watching him, we're both silent.

i hold out my drumstick and he looks at me, takes the drumstick, is still only hitting with one. a moment goes by, he looks at me again, takes his original drumstick, turns it around, holds it out to me.

i grin and take the stick.

we go back to hitting the pads together, he's controlling the buttons.

i look down to my feet, im still squatting, and there's this box of dinosaurs.

so i reach down and pick up a dinosaur.

eventually the kid looks over at me and i show him the dinosaur.

just hold it up. no talking.

he sort of backs away, but he's grinning.

so i put the dino on the ground and move it a little closer to him.

he backs up a step, fully smiling now.

his foot goes up, to step on the dino. reverse godzilla.

and i pull the dino back and put it up and the kid comes as close to making noise... he almost laughs... as we've been.

and then i look up and over and there's jan and joey watching me. they're ready to leave, but they're quiet. just watching.

so i move around to the other side of the kid.

i see this peddle. i push it down with my hand. it makes a thumping sound in the drums.

i tap the kids leg, he looks to me, i point down, and then press the peddle down.

he hears the thump.

i point to the peddle and move back a little.

he looks.

i press down.

he looks.

he steps on it with his foot.

he drops the stick and squats down and starts pressing the peddle.

and then the moments broken and i stand and leave.

i went to chik fil a. i was blessed by the man behind the counter.

i feel all holy now.