An old friend called me up last Friday, wanting to go to dinner and catch up.

"I thought you blew me off. I never quite understood why, but I accepted it."
"I knew it was reaching a point where I either had to call it quits or become serious, and I wasn't ready to make that decision."

She's different now. Stronger, better, happier. But I'm different in those ways too. We're both still the same, but....

We laughed, we talked, and it was a nice time. Part of me wants to get all excited and start dreaming. A larger part of me has learned better. I've come too far to think I can make a relationship happen. Maybe she'll call again, and maybe we'll start something up, and maybe she'll leave again. I accept what I have, when I have it, and am greatful for the moments I receive. Because that's all any of us have.

And that's why I didn't ask her if she was ready to make a decision about us now. We laughed, we talked, and it was a nice time. Why try to push for more?

Besides, she bought me a milkshake!