As a 3L, there's very little I miss about my first year of law school, except for my friends and the comraderie you share as a 1L. Most of my friends are studying abroad this semester, and to be quite honest, I've been so busy lately that I hadn't had a chance to miss having them around.
Today at lunch, however, was when I really started to feel it. I have these two friends, JH and MP, and last year, we'd made a regular habit of going to lunch at our favorite deli, Hog Island.
I went to Hog Island today for my lunch break, and when I returned, I immediately composed this solemn e-mail:
Hey people,
I discovered earlier this week that my judicial internship is within walking distance of Hog Island Deli. Hurrah! This morning, I was hungover as all hell, so I couldn't get anything done. Plus, all I could think about since I woke up this morning was how I was going to go get a Hog Island sandwich for lunch.
At 11:59 on the dot, I was out the door and on my way to chicken parm heaven. Once I got there though, I realized that I was going to have to eat alone. What to do? Do I forsake the chicken parm due to my fear of eating alone? Do I take it to go and lose some of the delicious freshness of the sandwich? Am I really having this internal monologue?
Not to be deterred, I ordered anyway. While I was waiting for the guy to bring #41 her (i.e., me) sandwich, I thought about all the good times I had with you guys, sitting at those metal tables -- the tears, the laughter, and yes, even the rage. And it dawned on me that perhaps this sandwich was not so delicious in and of itself but delicious because of what the sandwich represents -- happier times, youthful innocence, and the bonds of friendship. As the minutes ticked by, I sat at my table, quietly freaking out about being in a public place alone but thinking even more about the fact that the sandwich might not be as tasty, because its spiritual flavor was gone.
Then, glory of all glories, the sandwich arrived. I'd asked for it "to go," but now that I'd had 7 minutes to contemplate the significance of my friendship with you two, I couldn't wait. Curiosity besieged me, and I tore into that white butcher paper to reveal a perfectly melted chicken parm.
I'm happy to report that that sandwich was fucking good.
Still, I miss you.
The Yellow Peril
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