Birthday Breakfast, Plan C

We had planned to drive to Fort Lauderdale on the Sunday two weeks beforeThanksgiving, eat dinner with son Patten, spend the night at a friend’s, then, the reason for the trip, I’d have my annual birthday breakfast with Deb and Pat, who share the same birthday. Deb and I have been celebrating together for almost 30 years; Pat joined us a few years ago.

 But, after 7 years of waiting, that Monday was announced as the opening day of the trial of the alleged murderer of Deb’s dear friend. The jury was to be seated the week before, and the victim’s husband and son were to testify the first day. They had requested that Deb and her husband be there as support. If we were still living in Fort Lauderdale, I’d have joined them. This robbery-gone-wrong was the most horrific crime against one of the nicest persons I’ve known. She would have given the thug whatever he wanted. But, rather, she was brutally stabbed to death.

The case got crazier when the alleged murderer, known in his neighborhood as Moochie, escaped from jail during his arraignment. He’d conned 11 friends to help him, slipping him a key to his handcuffs, putting a set of clothes he could change into in the stairwell he escaped through, driving a car to take him to a local motel. When he was caught a week later, he claimed he was doing research to prove his innocence. His cellphone records showed he’d just been watching porn. The friends have all either pleaded or been found guilty and have served their sentences, including a few years in jail. Finally, it’s Moochie’s turn. By the way, I asked my friends if they would help me like that, and everyone said, “No!”, or “Hell, no!”  Nice to know.

So, we rescheduled breakfast to Wednesday. Of course, the trial didn’t start on Monday. We should have kept to our original plans. But, three’s a charm. The Monday after Thanksgiving, I got up at my usual 5:00 since cat Annie was demanding breakfast. By 7:30, I was on the road to meet Deb and Pat for brunch at the Boathouse Restaurant at the Riverside Hotel. Grant opted to stay home and putter around the house.

After lunch, I dropped off a truckload of household items at Poverllo House thrift shop and Habitat for Humanity’s Restore. I will find a local charity, but for now, getting things, including the dehumidifier we used on Key Biscayne, out of the garage was the goal. I did buy three bud vases at a buck apiece at Poverllo, so not completely a net zero on stuff out, but pretty dang good.

Then I headed back north. A long day worth it to keep our birthday tradition. I’ve also started a new birthday tradition: my neighbor Nancy has the same birthday as I. We had breakfast together the Monday before Thanksgiving. A new birthday buddy.