All The Things She Said. A Simple Minds song featuring Robin Clark on backing vocals. I wasn’t too fond of it when it first came out but I have to say Robin’s voice drew me in, 40 years later.

Fructose on the mainstream. Just a sentence that popped into my head earlier today. It means nothing, or does it?

Right now I am participating in a LGBTQ+ zoom call from the agency that placed me. They are an earnest bunch, clearly dedicated to the agency and clearly so young. I am the old guy I guess. They’re comfortable being queer, where when I hear the word the hair on the back of my neck rose a bit. I am trying to embrace the word but the negative connotations are still in the back of my mind. Fight or flight.

They’re in a different world than the fruit stand. And speaking of which, Marcus dropped the news that he will be leaving the fruit stand. I am not sure if he knows what he’s getting into. I know the world where he is going to but he will have to find out for himself.

I will miss his passive aggressive abrasiveness. Or maybe I won’t. He is a difficult read.

The meeting ended and I applauded and threw hearts up when I felt the kids deserved it. They were earnest for sure. Now I am killing time. Not much going on. I have a few errands to do before I get home. Food, a cigar and a stop at a dispensary.

Mike is in better, not bitter spirits. I am looking forward to enjoying a cigar when I get home. Bill is still in New England. I had to get over my non vacation, not much I can do about it. I know I can take a trip somewhere by train or subway. I used to do that back in the day but those days are over 20 years ago.

I also flew through a very easy crossword during the LGBTQ+ meeting. I was on camera, the crossword was off camera and as far as I know, no one was the wiser.

Mike and I watched The Devil Wears Prada 2. It was entertaining, a mild summer comedy. It certainly picked up while Emily Blunt was on screen. Stanley Tucci was understated, and Meryl Streep nibbled on the scenery. Anne Hathaway was enjoyable. Mike did get a kick out of it since he does quote the original movie from time to time.

And speaking of time, there is a little over 30 minutes to get through. I can do it, I’ve done it before. I usually get a seat on the Path going home since I like to read but I think tonight I will stand.

Yancy called. I hadn’t heard from him in a few days. That was why he apolgized, his absence. Things puttered along nicely in hhis stead. He talked about Marcus’ moving on and that instead of having me go to the big fruit stand every two weeks, I will be staying at my more desirable fruit stand. Things are going to start getting hectic and I would be better off where I am. And he’ll be taking some time off to tend to matters familial, but that’s rather here nor there. I did wish him safe travels.

Now home, Bill is in Margaritaville and Mike, having eaten dinner, is fast asleep on the couch again, while Ted Lasso streams on the telly.