After we reminisce about the good old high school and college days, Alex talks about how he moved down south for “a better quality of life” five years ago. I add, had I not recently received an opportunity to make decent bank in the legal field, I was about to move as well. It’s a shame that money and space are the primary reasons some have to make the hard decision of leaving a place they love. It seems to be a central theme for us middle-class folks living in New York within the past six years or so.
New York has always been the Mecca of the world, if you will; we natives here pay greatly for it. I tell Alex how I’ve contemplated many times to move out of New York for more space for my money-type deal investment. The only reason I have stayed is my family and friends.
Alex agrees with my catch-22 situation and is not surprised when I express that, as of late, that very reason seems to be fading for me each day. Though I love my family dearly and am thankful for our close-knit bond, I think the change would be beneficial for me, considering I chose not to go away to school (god only knows why?). This is something I need to do. I know my family and I would visit each other frequently. What else is holding me back? Is it just fear itself? Yet another question I must try to find the answer for.
Alex asks, “Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?” Uh-oh, I immediately think to myself. Slowly and wearily I answer, “Sure, why not?” He then assures me it’s nothing invasive. “When I said earlier you seemed happy in the picture I took, you looked like you were in disbelief. Have any ambition to elaborate on that?”
This guy really is intuitive. I jokingly ask if he’s available for lunch. “You’re a keen observer,” I tell him. After a pregnant pause, I look at the people around us and take a deep breath. Thoughts start to languorously fall from my lips. Let’s just say, it’s been a hell of year so far.
