I Really Don't Believe in Coincidences, You Know

Thursday, Hick and I went to see my best ol' ex-teaching buddy Mabel. And by "see," I mean we drove down to have lunch with Mabel and her husband, and hand over the gold frames Hick has been buying for them at the auction and flea market and Goodwill, and also exchange Christmas gifts (and birthday) and Chex Mix and chocolate-covered cherries.

We never go anywhere, Hick and I. Not besides the casino. We get down there to see Mabel every few months. Let the record show that Genius rarely contacts us, unless he needs money or advice about money or help with moving so it doesn't cost him money.

The waitress hadn't even come to take our order yet when my phone rang with a call from Genius. Of course I answered. He might be in need of money, you know! Okay. He was not. He was calling to say that he was having his mail held until he got his new mailbox straightened out, and that there might be some of his mail, or a form from the post office, coming to our house. No big deal. I told him we were having lunch with Mabel (one of his former teachers), and Genius said to enjoy it, and hung up.

After a delicious lunch of chicken quesadillas (me), a fried fish sandwich with sweet potato fries (Mabel), chicken strips and fries not crispy (Mabel hubs), and a bacon and swiss burger with fries (Hick), we reconvened at Mabel's gorgeous mansion for the framing and gifting. I was standing at the kitchen counter unwrapping when my phone rang again with another call from Genius. His post office told him it might take 30 days to get a key for his mailbox at the apartment complex, because they were behind. He said he could still go to the post office and pick up his mail there, but he was worried because I said I'd sent him something.

I told Genius that it was fine. Only a Christmas card to welcome him to his new apartment. Nothing important included. No six dollars for Chinese food. No lottery tickets. No insurance card. No check. He was fine with that. Just wanted to make sure.

It's unusual for Genius to call like that. He's a busy guy, getting his future in order. I don't think the mail was a big deal to him, though it would have been eating away at me for the whole 30 days. Anyhoo...it was nice to hear from him. I don't worry about him being on his own in a new city, because he's so self-sufficient. I tell him he's my shining star. Not every letter or conversation, of course. That would be kind of creepy. No, just on special occasions. Like on his birthday card a couple weeks ago. And on his graduation card. "You will always be my shining star."

I would be flattering myself to think that Genius was just wanting to hear my voice while getting acclimated in his new surroundings, or wanting my assurance that everything was going to be fine. And he would say I was crazy if I thought that! He has a roommate, so I knew he wasn't lonely. He has money in his account to last until his first paycheck after he starts work on January 8th. It was just unusual. Getting two calls from him.

Back at home later than afternoon, I was busy making two Oreo cakes for HOS and The Veteran. Sitting at the kitchen table, putting on the icing and decorating with Oreos, I took a break for a little snack. NOT Oreos. I don't really like them.

On the kitchen table was a bag of candy I had left over from filling the stockings. An assortment. Delicious candy, like Reese's Christmas Trees, and mini KitKats, and bite-size Snickers, and those dark chocolate Milky Way bites. I didn't want to go overboard. I chose one piece of candy. A little square of Dove chocolate. They have sayings inside the wrapper, you know.

Funny how The Universe has a way of spying on your life like Alexa in her Echo Dot. I sent Genius a text:

"Sorry. I think this was meant for you."