MOOSE PARTY

photo courtesy of Stephanie Klein

photo courtesy of The Barnard Club of South Florida

A lot has transpired in our lives since the last time we saw each other 3½ years ago. More so in her life than mine. I changed jobs, moved from Plantation to Coconut Grove, had plenty of relationship failures, and am still writing my first book. As for my dear friend NYNY, she found the love of her life, married him, quit her day job, had twins, moved from NYC to Austin, Texas, and wrote two books. She’s currently on her Moose book tour and we caught up during her Miami stop.

I arrived a bit early hoping I could have a little one-on-one time before her book reading began. I spotted her sipping a glass of white wine and chatting with her mom. She still looks great. “Hello stranger,” I said to her. She turned to me and flashed her infectious smile. She stood and gave me a big hug. The kind of hug that you remember for a lifetime. I asked her as many questions as I could given the fact that a roomful of people wanted to do the very same. She has so much going on in her life. Raising twins is challenging enough but when you throw in a book tour, interviews, TV appearances, potential movie and TV deals, more writing projects, whew! She’s so successful and I told her so. But I didn’t necessarily mean successful as in fame and fortune. I meant that, very simply, she’s a lot happier now in her life than the last time we met. She agreed. Another hug. She asked me how I was doing, and I told her about the situation I was reviewing. She wanted details, details but the room was filling up with fans and her friends I met from the Barnard Club of South Florida. I told her the good news was that she’d get to meet her tonight, and I promised her I’d keep her posted on the details.

While I was waiting for my friends to arrive, and as Stephanie mingled, I got a chance to spend some quality time talking to her mother. She was charming and engaging. I could see Stephanie in her, or is it vise-versa? We talked about life and agreed that life was indeed a test. She even gave me some motherly advice. I was really glad to get to know her.

My friends arrived and Stephanie got to meet of object of my affection...errr, umm…situation before beginning her book reading. She read passages from Moose. Poignant and humorous. The audience laughed repeatedly. I sat there so proud of her, and I wondered if someday I might be lucky and talented enough to be doing the very same thing someday? Stephanie answered questions from the audience and thanked everyone for coming. The night ended when she signed her last book. Mine. She took her time, pensive in thought, Sharpie in her mouth. I didn’t read what she wrote until I got home. I told her I hoped we would keep in touch and she looked at me as if to say, “Duh!” I wished her luck and gave both her and her mom a hug. It was a truly memorable night, and I was happy my friends got to meet and greet Stephanie.

My friends and I went out afterward for more memories. Let's just say I was not the happiest of campers when I got home, but that’s a post for another time. It was a good time to read what Stephanie wrote in my Moose book. I needed a pick-me-up, and she gave it to me. I read it slowly. I could feel tears well up. Sappy but true. She wrote something personal and inspirational. Perfect because that’s exactly what kind of friend she is. Personal and inspirational.