I’m never a better friend than I am at 2AM.

I’m not terrible during daylight hours.  Coffee at mid-day is great, but we’ll be keeping an eye on the clock, as we both have someplace else we need to be.  At 6:30, I’m both hungry and a bit exhausted.  We’ll talk over dinner, and I’ll be genuinely interested.  I’d also like my food to arrive.  We probably have to be up for work in the morning.

Not too infrequently come the conversations that begin later in the evening, standing in the parking lot after a meeting, or over the remnants of dessert when the rest of the crowd has gone.  At 10:30 I want to banter with my inner circle.  “Remember the time…?”  “Could you believe…?!?” “…knights who say, ‘Ni’…”  Did I mention I have Ghostbusters committed to memory?  Wanna hear it again?

But every so often the conversation goes past midnight.  It’s never planned – a serendipitous moment.  Clearly I like you.  And I’m too tired for banter, but I wouldn’t miss the chance to really talk.  I’m entirely interested to know what’s on your mind.  And if I’m here with you this late, it’s how you know I’ll tell you the unadulterated truth about what’s going on in mine.

At 2AM I really listen.  Whatever thoughts I have, they’re yours – to do with as you please.  I won’t try to persuade you.  I won’t force a debate.  I promise you won’t get the party line.  Here is my humble $.02 on life, the universe and everything. Continue reading