David and Charlie had been meaning to sit down for a heart-to-heart for quite some time.  They'd had some random, passing encounters over the previous weeks, but nothing really meaningful.  But finally, over morning coffee at the Salon, they had their opportunity to chat.

Charlie arrived a couple of minutes before their scheduled appointment.  He smiled warmly upon seeing his friend walk through the front door, and they briefly embraced.  They ordered two cups of regular black coffee and sat down to talk.

David was the first to talk.  "Charlie, I thank you for meeting me here this morning.  It's a beautiful day, Charlie, and I just want to say that it's good to see you again, friend."

There was a brief pause in the conversation.  Charlie opened his mouth to speak, but before any words could come out, David started talking again.  "Charlie, I ask that you would listen to me this morning.  Friend, I want to say that  Beth and I have been going through a tough period in our marriage, friend.  And Charlie, I say that we need help... Charlie, I ask that if there's any way for you to help us understand each other -- to mediate between us in our time of trial -- that you would speak to us, Charlie, and tell us how we might help one another get through this."

Charlie lifted his eyebrows, concerned for his friend, and again attempted to form a response.  But again, without any eye contact or acknowledgement of his conversational awkwardness, David again plowed ahead with his monologue.

"Oh, Charlie... I also want to lift up the topic of Zack's struggles with his learning disabilities, Charlie..."

Charlie was quite familiar with Zack's dyslexia and subsequent educational and social challenges.  David and he had talked about the situation numerous times.  Having children of his own, Charlie knew how elementary school kids could be relentless with their peers, and he knew that it also weighed heavily on David and Beth, as with any set of parents wanting nothing but the best for their child.  So Charlie leaned forward and put a hand on David's forearm, to comfort him.  He nodded sympathetically and leaned in to offer words of comfort and reassurance.  But again, David ignored the friend sitting in front of him and continued in a half-moan, "It's so hard for us, Charlie.  We don't know what to do, Charlie.  I know that you've dealt with situations like this before, Charlie, and I want to ask if there's anything that we could do to help Zack.  Friend, I ask if you could help us understand what to do in this situation.  I say that you are a good friend, Charlie, and you can help us if you want to."

Charlie sat still, listening, waiting for his moment to talk.  He knew that his friend was not trying to be rude or awkward.  He knew that David genuinely wanted his advice, which he would be glad to offer.   But he understood, in this moment, that he needed to wait for David to speak his piece.

"Well, Charlie... I'm afraid I need to get going now.  I've got to run and pick up the dry-cleaning, and then I'm meeting Beth for lunch.  Would you please wish us well in that conversation, Charlie?  I thank you for the opportunity to talk again, Charlie.  I ask that it could be a longer conversation next time, Charlie.  But for now, I close this conversation."  And without another glance at his friend sitting across the table from him, David stood up, tossed a couple of bucks on the table to cover the cost of his coffee, and darted out the front door.  Charlie didn't even get a chance to say good-bye.  He just sat at the table, smiling at the bizarre turn of events which had just taken place.   When the waitress passed by and asked if he'd like a warm-up on his coffee, Charlie just nodded with a pleasant look on his face and said, "Yes I would.  Thanks for asking."