Spark

It’s cold outside, not quite spring but no longer winter. My friend Beth is sitting in a rocking chair, knitting in front of her electric fireplace. I wish I had an electric fireplace.

We’re chatting about everything from work, to TV shows we’re currently binging, to how our kids are doing. I tell her my idea.

“Wouldn’t it be great if…”

She responds with a great big YES, which is why she’s my favorite.

Then she tells me I have to meet Paul Bartick, the Chairman of SOPAC (South Orange Performing Arts Center), that he would be the perfect person for me to collaborate with.

I text him. He texts back.

When I see his warm, bright smile, it feels like meeting an old friend, picking right back up where we left off. He loves the idea. But admits he’s dubious; surely something like this exists for young boys.

He leaves me with, “I’ve got some research to do.”