Side note on life before returning to working on my response to Michael. Spent last night by myself, and it reminded me that it isn't all that bad and alone isn't lonely. On the way home, I wanted to get a drink or two in me, but drinking while depressed is a fools game. Thought about it a little more and decided that I wasn't depressed, but I was sad. Ran this idea past Jeanna and she didn't think that I was off base.
So, two Bombay martinis later (lots of vermouth, lots of olives) down at the legion hall, I felt better. Call from Carl didn't hurt a bit. Just gotta get used to a new hole in my heart.