The Difference

 I picked Gia up from the airport Friday around 6:30 p.m. To say she traveled light would be an understatement. She didn't bring anything with her. She warned me she didn't have a Winter jacket. The weekend before, I had picked one up for her at Khols for $40. I also picked up some tops and pajama pants for her at BJ's while grocery shopping. I figured anything she didn't wear I would just take back. 

We had a great weekend together. Gia is the perfect house guest. She even gets along with the cat. After the airport, we ate at Ford's Garage and then went to Rochester to see the lights and get dessert Friday night. It was cold Friday night so we didn't do much walking.

Saturday we went back out to Dearborn and went to the Henry Ford Museum, had lunch, and then spent the rest of the day looking at the lights in Hine Park and Gross Point. Gia is content as long as we are doing something. Gia never complains and we never argue. I don't have to go out of my way to please her and she is always appreciative. I like that about her.

Sunday the weather was much warmer. We went to a fleamarket inside the Masonic Temple downtown and then we went to the Greektown Casino. Gia was a bit negative about the slot machine we were playing. "Give it a chance," I told her. At first, we were down about $45. The casino was a spare-of-the-moment choice, so I didn't bring any gambling money. I went to the ATM and got out $200. I end up putting $100 into the same machine. We played for another twenty minutes. At one point we were up to $250.

I whispered into Gia's ear, "What do you want to do? This is yours." 

She decided she would keep playing until the total was down to $200. We cashed out when the total was $200.15 and I told her to keep it. I don't go to the casino expecting to win anyway. We had lunch in Corktown and wasted a few more hours in the suburbs before heading to the airport.

We discuss how we communicate when we are apart. "I don't want to bother you," she tells me.

"I feel the same. Why don't we both agree that we aren't and stop thinking about it."

It was a good weekend. Our time together always brings us closer together. We understand each other. Which is to say we are fine with each other's quirks. Gia let me prattle on about useless knowledge. She plays along when I get her to sign Barenaked Ladies in the car. I can tell when she lets herself cut loose and I can tell when she is getting stressed (like when we were getting close to the airport). I don't mind that she only cuddles in the mornings, never at night.

We were talking on the couch Saturday night. Gia doesn't like her apartment in Tampa. She is having problems with the maintenance company. Her air conditioning went out in the summer and now her heat went out just before she left. "It seems like whenever things start looking up, they go to shit."

"Look how far you've come. A year ago you had nothing and were sleeping on the floor in your sister's apartment," I reminded her. "Now, you have a roof over your head, a car, and a steady income. you have people you can count on back in Rhode Island and me here in Michigan. It all depends on what you focus on. Just keep taking baby steps in the right direction and stay focused on your main goal."

I don't have any expectations when it comes to Gia. I am sure we will have a few more adventures in the future. "You are always welcome to stay here," I told her. "Whether you want to come up for a few days to work, or if you just need to get away." I think, in the future, she will.

Argumentative

On Thanksgiving, I made a turkey burger on whole-grain bread and a broccoli and macaroni casserole. I set the computer up on the coffee table and had a Zoom dinner with Gia. Gia ate eggs with ketchup. she didn't want to fight the crowds and go shopping.  It was fun. 

Gia and I have come a long way since we first met. The woman who wouldn't get in the same car as me the fourth time we went out is now coming up to stay with me next weekend, which was her idea. She has even started mentioning going to Utah with me next year. It all depends on how her dog does with the dogsitter this weekend. I've learned with Gia, that everything works out once she thinks it is her idea.

On Monday, I met Sam for dinner at Green Lantern. I had been avoiding going out with Sam, and I was feeling bad. Sam arrived first. Kay, my favorite waitress was our waitress. Sam seemed like she was trying to be cordial. Like the conversation was forced. We discussed Gia's upcoming visit. I told Sam after I picked up Gia from the airport I was thinking of taking her to Greektown Casino downtown.

Sam thought that was a bad idea. She said that the area was not safe. It has been about six years since I visited the Greektown Casino. I only go downtown occasionally. So I concede to her advice. However, Sam was in a mood. Despite saying, "I don't want to argue." She indeed wanted to argue. She was making a few snippy comments about Gia, which I let pass, but she got mad and said I have been argumentative lately. I wanted to say the same thing about her, but I didn't. It would have just escalated her displeasure.

When someone says, I don't want to argue then proceeds to argue, I am not sure I am the issue. This isn't the first time it has happened recently. Thus, the reason I have been avoiding her. At the end of the meal, Sam had the check. I handed her my portion and she figured out the rest. Sam is always flush with cash of various denominations and she is a bigger tipper than I.  When Kay came to pick up the bill I said we were all set. Sam must not have heard me. I actually think her hearing is going. 

When I asked Sam if she was ready to go, she said she was waiting for change. "I didn't realize you needed change. I told Kay we were all set."  That was the nail in the coffin. I offered to call Kay back. I offered Sam some money to make up what she wanted back, but Sam was over it. She ended up walking out with me trailing behind.