It appeared out of the mist on Dupont in the mid 90’s.

I wasn’t drinking so there was extra money.

I wasn’t used to extra money; it was a foreign entity. I thought,

‘What the hell!’

She was friendly from some Eastern European Slavic nation I determined from her accent. She was late twenties, blonde, blue eyed and wore a flowered print dress.

It had been so long since I had actually touched or been with another person, that I flinched when I first felt her touch.

I eventually recovered and relaxed.

By the time I left I realized I may have found a way to stay sober and avoid relationships.