Portland in 2030
Its a cliche to say it out loud; especially now; but its good to be out and about seeing old friends.I hug my friends in the underground parking lot as we say our goodbyes. We were the first and seemingly last generation of huggers. I notice that its a little more meaningful now as there are so few of us left. We had talked about the old days, how I should supe-up my car, and the latest global crises. They each drive off as I put my toys away in the car before making my way to the elevator and to the surface. My destination is only a few blocks away and its safe enough for a non-descript man to shuffle down the side walks at dusk.
As always the streets are ever changing with the economic cycles and the death and rebirth of businesses. I walk past a chichi restaurant that is just now setting tables and opening, the rustic but new pain losing some of its ambiance’ with the indirect lighting un-dimmed. Crossing the small unkept park I hear my friends before I see them and follow them into the also too bright, near empty cafe space that only has a few tables and no coffee. I overhear that the planned group activity involves performing both written and ad hoc poetry together and for the group. This reminds me that I have moved from a group of people that I know well to a group that is a bit younger and less repressed.
My friend T suggests tells their friend Sarah that they would be happy to swap their urban apartment for a suburban home. I see T’s new partner visibly flinch at this idea. T’s friend Sarah is sitting next to me and I realize shes been talking to me and I awkwardly start to listen and get some context before I am expected to respond. She’s saying something about her reaction to seeing me and judging me from how uptight I dressed, vs getting to know me even a little and discovering that I was quite the opposite. Is she flirting with me? I never seem to know at the time.
I make my escape from the social scene. Too much too soon. I notice myself again once I am on the road and feel comforted to be headed out into the country to my partner, dog, and home.