LAST CALL

The plan on how to smuggle a couple of blueberry martinis out of a restaurant was something I was all too enthusiastic about becoming an accomplice to. I certainly have had my share of “roadies” over the years. 

.The conversation started with a friend sharing the mission with me. Then into the brainstorming, Lynn had first plan of attack “We could order a bottle of wine, finish it (poor us), have them put the martinis into the bottle and then we can take the bottle “to go”, like people are allowed to do these days. “No no no, this has to be stealth mode” I said, what if they veto it”. “Let’s just order them and I have some masons jar except i don’t think I have a cover, DAM...next idea.  “My Poland Springs bottle had a cap... but such a narrow neck, all we can needed was a funnel. Umm. strike 2. Lynn eyes lit up with the  master plan and the one that ultimately got the job done. “Why don’t we just go over to CVS and buy sports drink cup/ wide mouth and we can just pour a drink into that”. And so the plan held… We were even concerned that we would be portrayed as being “over served” , so we recruited another server to get us the two extra martinis, without our actual server even knowing.. 

The plan was all a success and off we went to head to the hospice where our friend Amy was going to be the recipient of our bounty. 

She had mentioned in conversations that she would love to have one more of her blueberry martini’s she loved and even she had helped with a plan C if needed.  “Use the hospice card. Should be good for something”.  

I grew up with amy but will not paint the picture that we were super close. My friend lynn whom has been the most caring and nurturing person to anyone one of our one too many friends on the end of life’s journey, has stayed tight with Amy over the years.  Apparently one night these girls impressively consumed 7 Martinis each. Aside from this being concerning, if if even legal, is this potentially lethal? “Nope”. Lynn said. “We weren’t driving” although I’m not quite sure they should’ve been walking. But they were and the 2 drank their martinis into the the wee hours of the night, Apparently with Ami having her chemo bag in tow.

 We arrived and smuggled past the front and into the room. It wasn’t what I expected but exactly what I expected. Amy was thin, extremely thin, almost unrecognizably thin but yet her smile, her pizzazz, her enthusiasm to live this day, it was all there just like the day I met her a bazillion years ago.

“We have a surprise for you” Lynn announced. Amy apprehensive, “It can’t be and Lynn says “YUP. Are you ready” and without hesitation Ami replied w her “YUP”, and she sat up a little taller- ready to face her martini, straw and all. 

 Amy sipped away while we started conversations about anything and everything that would make us all laugh.  Amy’s mom was there along with another friend but there was no censorship here and we quickly got into some banter, starting with who was the most challenging teenager and then quickly into “whom slept with whom”. This led into whom had “crossovers.” Oh my gosh the giggles began and didn’t stop there. No I didn’t, I wished I did, oh he was the BEST. My gosh, did I-I don’t remember. Yhe References, the pure magic that happened in that room. All my concerns about, what do I say went out the door as we sat in this room and watched in awe the bravery of Amy and those around her. Our happy hour seemed to be just what the doctor ordered and although I know we cannot change the outcome (boy I wish I could) isn’t life about moments and this was one. She has been so strong and courageous and selfless. Amy had shared such concerns about her family and how her illness will impact them, and I just had a sense that seeing Amy laugh has to help this horrific situation, even just for a moment. 

 Amy struggled To keep eyes open. She was Heavily medicated and it was 9pm at night. Who isn’t tired at 9pm,. We left Amy dozing w a smile on her face. Just the way you want to see your friend in the end.