# 91 - Barbara

One sweltering summer, you hired me to walk around Manhattan and talk to doormen. Your research methods were terrible. You told me about your divorce ("Men will hurt you...")

# 90 - Adrian

My partner for the science lab where we found out our blood types; you pricked my finger. The boys pressed your face into the snow in front of me.

#89 - Amanda

We were flying in a Gulfstream private jet together and you told me about the birthday you celebrated in a hot air balloon. I thought you sounded so spoiled.

# 88 - Vinnie

We sat on my stoop; you gave me a wooden rosary and then told me you were in love with me. I wonder if you ever joined the clergy.

# 87 - Ms. Passantino

Your hair was short, frosted -- you liked it when your roots grew in dark. You found no charm in my friendship with Erica and our antics. Always separating us.

#86 - Danny

Was it odd that you befriended me while I was just 16? You gave me a copy of your band's demo tape and I listened to it for weeks.

#85 - Joe

You want to be buried in a red Camaro, radio tuned to the oldies station. Your wife tells you no: this would take up more than one cemetery plot.

# 84 - Casey's Owner

After your girlfriend left you for a woman, taking your dog, you found Casey in the street and rescued him. He only let you near because he was injured.

# 83 - Val

I was a temp and you wanted me to work till 11PM when I wouldn't earn any overtime. You responded to my ambivalence by handing me a $100 bill.

# 82 - Aileen

Cold as ice, efficient executive. You didn't say goodbye to me when I left; did you expect me to come to you or just not care? Likely the latter.

--it's april(yes, april; my darling)it's spring!*

when faces called flowers float out of the ground
and breathing is wishing and wishing is having--
but keeping is downward and doubting and never
--it's april(yes, april; my darling)it's spring!
yes the pretty birds frolic as spry as can fly
yes the little fish gambol as glad as can be
(yes the mountains are dancing together)

when every leaf opens without any sound
and wishing is having and having is giving--
but keeping is doting and nothing and nonsense
---alive; we're alive, dear it's(kiss me now)spring!
now the pretty birds hover so he and so she
now the little fish quiver so you and so i
(now the mountains are dancing, the mountains)

when more than was lost has been found has been found
and having is giving and giving is living--
but keeping is darkness and winter and cringing
---it's spring(all our night becomes day)o, it's spring!
all the pretty birds dive to the heart of the sky
all the little fish climb through the mind of the sea
(all the mountains are dancing; are dancing)

-e.e. cummings

*I think I post this every year, but, lo -- again you must read it -- and celebrate April with me. Thank you.

# 81 - Joey

You were my dad's best friend but stopped speaking to him after my parents divorced. I think maybe it was because you've always been in love with my mom.

(joey is leaning across sue's lap; dad is wearing white shirt, center; mom behind him.)

# 80 - Terri

You called us years ago -- it was like a voice from the grave. You told us you were in the witness protection program and wouldn't talk about the weather.

# 79 - Christina

An entry on the curious list of women I could just never warm up to. Last summer I spotted you on Montague Street and pretended not to see you.

# 78 - John

Tall, thin, floppy hair. You appeared -- it was uncanny -- around the same time Jordan Catalano entered our imaginations. Full of mystery, object of acute affection, recipient of love notes.

# 77 - Daniella

You were Nadia's other sister and you had horrible night terrors. Every time that I slept over you would wake up in the pitch black and scream so loudly.

# 76 - James

You held my hand on 9/11 and the security guard thought I was in love with you. I wasn't. But I wonder if you thought the same thing, too.

Related.

# 75 - Butchie

Homeless, you approached me on the subway and we had a lovely conversation. You gave me an address where I could reach you; I promised a postcard. Never sent.

# 74 - Nick

We had drinks with co-workers; you walked me to the subway. I fell down SMACK on the sidewalk and somehow your crush on me made it much more embarrassing.

# 73 - A.

Our orbits keep intersecting; do you notice? You thought I stole your boyfriend in the 10th grade and you confronted me in the hallway. After that friendship was impossible.