Not Just Another Monday Evening

He's calling from the San Francisco airport and tells his uncle that he'll arrive around 7:30. "Could we meet for dinner?" he inquires. There's really nowhere to eat at our airport but we live only a mile away. "Why not come here?" the uncle suggests.

It's complicated. This constantly traveling businessman will be met by a driver who'll take him to another town about an hour to the east. A very early meeting is scheduled for the morning and hours of preparation still hover.

"Just tell me what you'd like to eat and we'll have it here waiting for you when you arrive." says the accommodating uncle. That does it. The nephew can't resist a meal from his favorite local restaurant. The order is taken, a time fixed for his arrival. The driver will leave him at our house for an hour and then whisk him away to his hotel west on Interstate 10.

I'm unaware of these developing arrangements as I chat on the phone with a Southern cousin in another part of the house. Henry interrupts the conversation and says, "In about an hour, there'll be a surprise visitor." My mind shuffles. Who could it be? Surely not Caitlin on a week-day evening. Not the dear cousin to whom I am speaking. She is at least 1500 miles away, right? No other family members or friends are expected just now.

It's Keith, our nephew. Through a fluke in his flight plans, he's going to be in town just briefly and we'll get to see him. What serendipity! A wonderful surprise.

Hastily concluding my cousin conversation, I locate the Las Casuelas menu and call the restaurant. One Chicken Burrito Ranchero and an order of chips and salsa. I'm informed that chips and salsa come with the meal. Great. I'm thinking that Keith will probably be famished, so I order sides of black beans and Mexican rice. (It's a 'Mom' thing.) A carb feast for one.

Over to the sink to make more iced tea. He specifically requested that popular beverage.

Soon we've picked up the delectable Mexican food and made a stop at Fresh & Easy for a super-sized slice of chocolate cake.

The food reposes in a warm oven and emits tantalizing fragrances throughout the house. Keith'll be more than pleased by this culinary welcome.




The doorbell rings and he's outside. Looking slightly weary, Keith's wearing a handsome suit and perfectly striped shirt. The driver leaves. Not much time, but it will suffice. People in our demographic cherish every moment with the younger generations. Lucky for us, most youthful members seem to enjoy our company as well.

After generous hugs, Keith changes into jeans and a tee shirt. Now he can relax for a brief interlude, protected from the expectations of his demanding career.

In this house, we will always glimpse that adorable young man whose athleticism, ever-present smile, academic acumen and bounteous nature make us proud to be his uncle and aunt. Though he's now in his forties, married and dad to two special little girls, we fondly remember when he moved across country to our town immediately after graduating from college.

Keith, age 22, and his first cousin, Caitlin, age 7, became an improbable duo. He gamely rode with her on bumper cars, played mini-golf, and unwound as both of them spent time reading. She affectionately called him "Keefee." With her own brother off at college and a vast number of cousins living great distances away, Caitlin enthusiastically embraces the availability of a same-generation relative. The fifteen year age difference matters not at all. While Keith lived in our area, he ate spaghetti with the family at least once a week and joined us for holiday celebrations and birthdays.




During this most recent visit, we chat about his daughters' school year, the family's plans to return to the desert in the spring and his cousin Caitlin's latest exploits. Uncle Henry demonstrates newly acquired magic skills which are already pleasing audiences young and older. (He'll be even more facile by next April when Keith's family arrives.) There's just enough time to explore the latest electronic toys.



Too soon,the hour elapses. The driver returns. Dishes are empty, two glasses of tea have vanished. He's gone.

As Keith is so fond of saying, "Sweet."