Cigars and Compliments

Five years ago I was here at PAE...different time and place in my life.

You do have a way of "finding me" as you so put it. You found me walking back to the hotel and we talked about the baby, about work, and this disgusting weather. We pass a smoke shop and you comment on the cigars and before I could stop myself I said, "I don't want to hear about cigars...We were supposed to have end of conference cigars years ago and you ditched me and I'll never forget it!"

It just came out. How did I even remember it? I had that stupid cigar in my bag and wound up smoking two puffs with Vince's dad before I nearly died of the fumes.

But he said, "Well, come on." And I turned back as he doubled back and into the smoke shop and purchased two cigars, gave them to me for safe keeping and said tomorrow night after dinner we'd have cigars.

I have cigars in my bag right now. CIGARS.

Before we parted, I told myself I needed to open up and talk about the management idea. A whole dialogue ensued and he told me a lot of what I already knew. Then out front of the hotel he said, "I think you can do it...and I think you'd be good at it."

He would have bought me a drink - and more enlightening conversation? - but I had dinner plans.

This scene has been playing in my head for hours. Five years after you kicked me to the curb, I get my End of Conference Cigar AND an amazing compliment. I'm overwhelmed and not sure how I'm feeling.