This moring Honeybun and I were driving all around Denver doing some shopping and errands. While we were driving the flow of conversation reminded me of a comment an old friend had once told me. We talked about him for about 30 seconds and the conversation moved on, my old friend quickly forgotten again.
I met Jeff about 11 years ago at work while we were in training for a new position. We became unlikely friends. He was 10 years older than me and married with a 15 year-old daughter. I was still single (although living with Honeybun) and had no plans for children. We just didn’t seem to have much in common, but, thanks to a similar sense of humor, we hit it off and were good friends.I remember one time at an after work off site meeting, a VP from out of state was giving a talk about the direction of the department. Jeff and I had been joking around and by the time the VP started to talk we had each other in stitches. We could not stop laughing during the speech. We finally had to stop looking at each other to compose ourselves. I wouldn’t say we were “best” friends, but Jeff was one of those rare people you meet who is just comfortable to be around.
About a year later he moved to another company. We kept in contact for a couple of years but eventually lost touch because of time and distance. I haven’t seen Jeff in seven or eight years.
Later in the afternoon Honeybun and I decided to look in Kohl’s for something we had been looking for at six other stores. As I walk in the door, I hear “Jason?”. Wouldn’t you know it, Jeff was standing in the check out line. I would have walked within 20 feet of him and not noticed if he hadn’t called my name. This is just weird. I hadn’t even thought of him in years. Yet on the very day I briefly remember something he told me and wondered what he is doing now, I see him at a store.
Now this is where my mind is blown. Honeybun and I have shopped at Kohl’s exactly one other time in the past 10 years. Not only that, but Honeybun had suggested I drive around the building and park in front of a different entrance. Had I done so, we wouldn’t have seen him. And my not taking that suggestion is rare in itself.
What are the chances? It seems so incredibly strange.
I gave him my number. Hope he calls and we can catch up over lunch.