As large as life she stood there
Kissed my cheek and called my old nickname
And though several years had passed
Both of us still looked quite the same
I said Hi, relaxed a bit then asked her how she'd been all these years
She told me she was feeling fine and came to see a friend who lived up here
She told me she had finished school
And then went on to college for a year
I asked if she had married
And slowly down her cheek there came a tear
She said just an itchy eye it must be the weather way up here
Told her I can't stand the cold
It freezes me and I can't feel my ears
We talked a bit about Mobile
And thought about how it has never changed
I told her I was comin' home to spend some time
And hoped it wouldn't rain
She asked if she could see me then
And we could spend some time now and then
Because I lived so far away
Was still no chance why we could not be friends
I drove her to the waiting plane
And watched that big jet streaking through the sky
Thought about the sad young girl
And the time that I just saw her cry
That flame must still be burning bright
I think I'll catch a later flight today
It's time for me to go on home and spend a day or two down by the bay
This song always makes me think about a certain girl. I get this kind of dull ache in my heart when I think about her. It's kinda crazy.
I went through a very similar episode to the Buffett song quoted above. She was passing through Columbus one night and I happened to be on her way. So she popped in to see me. There was a tension in the room that night. We talked for a while, laughing and having fun. I still thought she was amazing and sexy and wonderful, just as I had when I first met her. Saying goodbye that night was rather painful.
I haven't caught that later flight yet, but I often think I should. There's a lot that isn't said, but is pretty well understood. One of these days, I'll need to say it all.
I can't stand the idea that when she walked out of my house that night, it might have been the last time I'd get to see her. I hope that isn't true.