bit about the past, glossing over the big thing that led to our falling out, for now anyway. Everything is very friendly, above board, on the up-and-up, just the way that it should be.
But my memories of that time have not diminished with the years.
I remember exactly what it was like and how I felt when he did what he did. But I try to keep things positive. I would be lying to say that it wasn't nice to see him.
We talk for a little while. Noah tells me that he lives right around the corner in a condo not too far away. I tell him how much I enjoyed seeing what little I saw of Seattle and he offers to show me around tomorrow morning before my flight.
I'm tempted to say no. That would be the easy answer but something stops me. Something about the past requires an answer and I need to know and perhaps letting him show me around will help.
"What are you doing tonight?" Noah asks out of the blue. "Let's grab some dinner."
"What about your work?"
"That can wait. I work so many hours, it would be nice to have a reason to take a break. There's a great seafood restaurant around here. Another that’s vegetarian and Indian, whatever you want. Come on, I want to catch up for real."
We meet up an hour later, after I have a chance to change out of my sweats and into a pair of jeans and a nice top.
It’s nothing flashy. It’s nothing that says that I'm actually trying to impress anyone.
Despite all of the years that we haven’t seen each other, I don’t feel the need to try to impress Noah. I don’t feel intimidated. I’m not trying to be this better version of myself that doesn’t really exist.
He gave me the location of a place in the Queen Anne district and I give the driver the address. On the ride over, I look Noah up on social media. I check Facebook, Instagram, even TikTok. But I don’t find any information.
That's why I was never able to find out what he was up to before.
That’s why none of the friends that I had from high school knew either.
He just sort of vanished. We heard stories about him, of course.
Apparently, he was traveling the world, living out of a backpack, hiking and climbing mountains.
Usually, when you do those things, you post pictures and videos and share your experiences with family and friends back home, not Noah.
He never shared. He always kept things private.
Suddenly, I realize just how special it is that we found each other again.
18
Dante
I land in Salt Lake City and there's not a single cloud. The air is clear and easier to breathe, and out in the distance, the mountains scrape the sky. The sun beams down warm, but not at all oppressive. There's no humidity and my hair immediately starts to feel cleaner and nicer to the touch. My skin on the other hand feels a little dry and my mouth is practically parched.
I've never been to Salt Lake City and I'm here to meet with a startup company that makes a photo and video app for social media. I've received their initial proposal, gone through it, but I'm here to meet them and make sure that they're worthy of our investment.
The woman who meets me is personable and nice. She reminds me a lot of Marguerite, and I like her straightforward nature. I get to know her a little bit personally.
She tells me that she's the mother of three kids, and her husband works in the startup as well, but it's her idea and she's the CEO. She doesn't put on airs like a lot of people do, or try to impress me with their office.
In fact, what I find particularly curious is the fact that it's a pretty small space that doesn't seem to cost that much in rent. It's this kind of money saving approach, especially in a computer startup where every cent counts, that will go a long way in making them successful.
I am ready to recommend her for investment, even before our conversation is over. She knows all the numbers. She knows exactly how much they make, how much it costs to acquire a customer, their profit loss statements. The assessments for growth in the future are measured and based on reality and previous investments into advertising and marketing.
After the meeting, I take a stroll around the city, around the downtown