The Poetist

It couldn’t be him.  The hair was the same – distinctive dreadlocks pulled back into a ponytail… the height and build seemed familiar to me… and the guy I know also had glasses… but the guy I know lives in Tokyo!  So of course it wasn’t him.  I mean, what are the odds that while I’m sitting in the Borders cafe in Chapel Hill a friend from Tokyo would be browsing the magazines?  Absolutely impos….

Wow!  I couldn’t believe it and I still can’t.  I ran into a friend from Tokyo at Borders?!  The scene was like straight from a movie.  I kept looking over, trying not to stare, trying to figure out why this person looked familiar.  When he caught my gaze his eyes popped open and it was a complete NUH – UH moment.  Absolute craziness.

He had a little bit of time to chat and it felt so good to spend even just a few minutes with a person from my past life.  He asked me what souvenirs he should bring back for people in Japan (and for himself), so I went through a list of my favorite things that aren’t available over there… like twix.  And hair products.  Then I couldn’t help myself, I started reminiscing about some of the things I dearly miss about Tokyo – especially my umbrella, and the general appreciation of umbrella aesthetics that abounds in Tokyo.  It was so great to see him.  I’m a little jealous that he gets to go back and see a mutual friend of ours but I’m still 100% happy with my decision to come home.