Mibes: And my thanks to you, too. My world has changed a lot in the last few days.
Me: Same here. If you’d asked me a few days ago what I’m thankful for, I could have given you a long list. But you weren’t on it.
Mibes: I know. But it’s OK, because you’ve always been on mine. That was enough.
Me: But today you’re on the list. On my A-to-Z list when I get to "M" you're right in there with the music and movement. And I’m so glad to be starting this day with you.
Mibes: I wouldn’t have missed it. Hey, I’ve got a question for you.
Me: Sure, anything.
Mibes: You’ve given me such a strange nickname. I mean I know you gave it to me for a reason and I’m grateful, but wouldn't Mike or Miles, have been so much easier?
Me: Easier perhaps but not as clear. Mibes is my name for you because you're My Better Self. A way to pronounce the acronym: MBS.
Mibes: You and your acronyms! But it takes some of the mystery and mystique out of breakfast meetings, doesn't it?
Me: Not for me. It just makes you even more real than you already are. And there's still plenty of intrigue. I don't know what you're going to say. I don't even know if you're going to show up.
Mibes: I've tried to make it clear, I'm always available.
Me: I know. It's not you. It's me. You've shown that you're willing to meet me. On this day of all days, I'm thankful for that. Thank you, Mibes! Thanks for being so much more real than you've been in years.
Mibes: Now that’s something I’m grateful for. That I’m real to you. Your very own Velveteen Rabbit.
Me: That story is the most reliable way for me to get some tears flowing. (starts a search on his phone) Here’s the paragraph that always gets to me...
Mibes: (reading from the phone) 'You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.”
Me: You’ve become real to me Mibes.
Mibes: Aw you’re making me feel all warm and sweet and savory inside. Like some of the yams you’re going to eat this afternoon.
Me: You’re way better than candied yams, Mibes. Now I’ve got a question for you.
Mibes: Will it have sharp edges?
Me: Maybe, but I think you’ll be OK. My question is: are you less lonely?
Mibes: Yeah, I feel like I’ve come out of the closet. It’s like I was suit or a tie that you’d wear sometimes, but the rest of the time I was just hanging there with your other stuff. You didn’t think of me, unless it was Sunday and sometimes not even then.
Me: I’m sorry.
Mibes: Me too, but it’s OK. We’re together now.
Me: No going back.
Mibes: Yup, and breakfast in Castro any day you want.
