River Park, Bronx

River Park, Bronx
Originally uploaded by AdiaMichelle

My friend is leaving.

She's off to start a new job in DC.

I was cheerful when we parted, trying to make it easier on her.

But, with her going, I feel that the last bit of substance keeping me in the city has gone. We struggled through some extremely trying times together: joblessness, underemployment, eating one meal a day, silly men, not speaking to one another, more joblessness, roaches, loud neighbors, hating New York, loving New York, hating New York some more.

No one else has understood or sympathized the simultaneous love and loathing this city inspires like she has. And now we're going our separate ways, at least for a little while.

I'm aching a little.