Friday evening

Friday evenings have taken different shapes over the years. Bars have sometimes been part of the landscape, with colleagues or fellow graduate students and faculty — or with my spouse. But I have also enjoyed just being alone.

For several years, around twenty years ago, I had a retail job that kept me at work until 9 p.m. During the afternoon rush hour, I would look longingly out the window at buses crowded with people heading home and wished with all my heart to once again have a regular nine-to-five job — even though I would probably just be getting off the bus to go into the grocery store and pick up some wine and something to eat before going back to my little apartment. It would be another few years before I got my Friday evenings back.

At my current job, days are split between the downtown office and a coworking space about a forty-minute walk from where I live. Fridays are always at the coworking space and are usually quiet. There are many places nearby to go for an after-work drink, but even if I had someone to go with, I think I would still prefer to stop at the store and come home.

This afternoon, it was chilly with mixed precipitation as I left. After sitting all day staring at huge computer monitors, it felt good to be upright and walking. I had begun considering possible solutions to a problem I have been chewing over for several months and I was enjoying letting ideas tumble around in my head as I walked. The grocery store was busy with Valentine’s Day shoppers. But I just needed a can of wine to go with tonight’s dinner and some muesli for breakfast tomorrow and when I was done, I checked the bus app on my phone and was happily surprised to see a bus coming in six minutes — just enough time to make it over to the stop and save myself a long walk.

When I watch TV, I am amazed at characters who are able to walk in the door, throw their keys down somewhere, grab a beer from the fridge, sit down on the couch, and pick up the remote to turn on the TV. I do not think I have ever been able to do that. There is always a coat to hang up, shoes to take off, pockets to empty, and groceries to put away. Heat needs to be turned on and the blinds closed. And I almost always need to go to the bathroom. There are quite a few things I need to do before I can put the kettle on. I left England over forty years ago, but the habit is still with me. But now that I think of it, the TV characters who get home and head for the couch are always men. Women always have stuff to do — even those of us who live alone and do not have to consider anyone else.

Armed with hot tea, I chill with a jigsaw puzzle or do some writing. And I enjoy planning my weekend and the upcoming week. I do not miss being at a bar. I have my can of red wine to enjoy with dinner and my latest favorites on Apple TV+. And I get to sleep a little later tomorrow. It is truly the best time of my week.