Sipping a mango-dragonfruit refresher at a sidewalk cafe in the South End, I feel slightly nostalgic on my 51st birthday. Andy and I are in town for the low-key event, keeping a quiet out-of-town tradition intact; I was never one for big birthdays. Sitting on the sidewalk and watching the Monday traffic go by, I realize that I’m old enough to remember when this cafe used to be Francesca’s – back when Geoffrey’s was the hot spot of the neighborhood and the South End was filled with gays and their admirers.
When I look around now, the only restaurant that still stands in the same place is Aquataine. How strange that the city is so different, yet I feel so intensely the same. Thirty years ago, on this same stretch of Tremont, I felt similarly uncertain. The only thing that may have changed in my constitution is that I probably hide it better now. (And I was quite good at hiding it then.)
Today we have an idyllic day – a very sunny Monday with a lovely cool breeze – it reminds me of summer nights in my early 20’s, when I’d jog around the South End purportedly for exercise, but it really was just to find a romantic partner with whom to share a Boston life together. At the time, I was hopelessly in love with the idea of being in love – not really realizing all that love might entail. In that respect I have changed – a lot. My husband is back at the condo, waiting to take me out to dinner for my birthday, and if I’m uncertain about life in general, I’m no longer so uncertain about love.
Our quiet birthday jaunt to Boston begins with a brief recap of our adventures tomorrow…
