– Well. You’re back.
– Um, what?
– It’s been a while since we’ve seen you here.
– Yes. Yes, I guess it has.
– So… what have you been up to?
– What do you mean?
– I mean, where were you?
– Oh. When I wasn’t here?
– That’s right.
– I guess I was there.
– Not funny.
– There were holidays.
– That was well over a month ago.
– Is it? Why, I guess you’re right.
– You’re stalling.
– I’ve been busy.
– We’ve all been busy.
– I’ve been writing lectures, doing client work…
– Sounds like you’re making excuses.
– I don’t want to do that. I…um…haven’t been publishing.
– We noticed.
– I am coming back.
– Are you?
– Yes.
– I guess we’ll see. And for next time.
– Next time?
– Say you’ve gone fishing or something.
– Oh. Yes, that makes a lot of sense. I’ll do that. Thank you.
– I have to go now.
– I understand. I hope you’ll drop by again.
– I guess we’ll see.
I thought I’d borrow a page from Edward Albee’s The Zoo Story to say my short vacation hiatus became more of a mini sabbatical. For those of you who are still with me – welcome back. And thanks for your patience.
Here’s to 2013.