Happiness is Lubbock, Texas....

...in my rearview mirror.

Anyone remember that song, by native son Mac Davis? I'm in a hotel here now, overlooking the statue of favorite son Buddy Holly. We got here late (very late) Sunday night. Weather reports caused us to leave home a day early and head for the airport in Denver, which is The Most Difficult Airport Ever. For the modern marvel it is supposed to be, it sure is a pain in the ass to navigate. Pretty to look at, but pain in the keister.

Anywho...so, just past Vail, Colorado, the temperature gauge is reading 2 degrees outside, the snow is blowing, and the fog inside the windows has turned to ice. Yep, ice inside the car. I'm still amazed.

To make a long day short, travel went smoothly. The rental car I got in Amarillo is a Toyota Prius. So far, pretty dang nifty! Getting used to the push-button start and all. Don't like being that low to the ground, but it's still fun.

So far, I've avoided seeing the Wicked Witch who is so mean to my child. My ex has taken my advice and kept them out of one-on-one situations. My daughter texted me in tears the first night, just over the stress of being there. She knew she had to hang on through Christmas, then her dad might relent and let her stay with me at night. Christmas Eve, I get this text from her:

"Merry Christmas, Mommy. I'm sorry u r alone, but know I'm with u. U can text me anytime u need comfort."

Hear that sound? It's a Mommy melting. I know adolescence is likely to change some of that sweetness, but for now I'll cling to all I can get.

My daughter's former Irish dance teacher and her husband are dear friends. Even though he wants to subpoena me in that case against the university. Once he figured out that I was "free-floating" for Christmas, he was besides himself to include me in their family Christmas dinner. I'll go to a good ol' Irish pub session with them Friday night, too. Good friends, good music. Great night.

I'm still piecing together things to do with friends. Dinner here, lunch there. Lunch was on my own today, though. I have a list of Restaurants I Miss, so I headed to one of those this afternoon. The place was next to empty, mid-afternoon on the Biggest Return Day of the year. A tall waiter met me at the door, with the usual, "How many?" Just me, I said, and he led me to a table. I thought his indifference was palpable. He took my drink order and disappeared. His name was Greg.

I called one of my friends to set up lunch for tomorrow. We chatted about work and what's new. Drinks came, and I ordered. My friend and I chatted some more. Greg came back and leaned on the booth. "Who is it?" he said, indicating the phone. "Do they know they are infringing on our alone time?"

I lifted a brow at him. So, maybe he wasn't so indifferent.

I told my friend what he said, with him standing there, and she laughed. She told me to go flirt and we'll meet tomorrow. I put down the phone and explained I was a Texas transplant, visiting "home" from Colorado. Turns out, he recently moved here from Colorado. And wants to go back.

"Take me with you," he said. "Please?" I laughed, but he was only half joking. He left to take care of customers, but stopped at my booth often. We talked about what brought me to Lubbock, Texas for Christmas and about being alone for Christmas (he had Chinese take-out for Christmas dinner).

"So where's your significant other?" he asked. I don't have one, I said. He smiled. "What was that room number?" I laughed. He wasn't kidding.

"I'd have to know you a heck of a lot better for that," I said. He left again. When he stopped to visit, he told me about his parents (or lack of relationship with them) and his background.

"See? I have a brain," he said. "And I'm not some kid out here. I'm almost 30." He started to leave again, but added, "Am I helping my case any?" I nodded, and he was off again.

Next time he stopped, he said quietly, "We're not supposed to hit on customers, so I'm not officially hitting on you." I nodded. He smiled, and said more quietly, "But I couldn't let you walk out of here without getting to talk to you. You're too pretty. I'd just like to hang out with you."

Sappy as it is, I did give him my cell number. He called during his break, and met me for five minutes in the hotel lobby. We chatted and he apologized for having to go so soon. Then, he surprised me, catching me up in his arms and a passionate kiss. "I've wanted to do that since you walked in today."

And that's how I ended up with a date for Christmas break.