Most people would be happy if they can speak two languages, but how about six? Well I have one such friend. Marianne was born in Belgium and came to California when she was a teenager. She already spoke Flemish and Dutch when she came to California but she had to study in English in High school, obviously. In her class, there was my ex-husband.
Later, she moved to Tahiti where she raised two children. There she became fluent in French and learned some Tahitian as well. After she came back to California, she picked up some Spanish, too.
Even after my divorce, Marianne and I kept our friendship. We were walking buddies for five years; walking almost every morning up the hill.
“Hello Marianne, we have lots of catching ups to do.”
“I know. I was just thinking about you, Hiroko。” She said when I called her last week. We often think about each other at the same time.....so we went out for lunch.
“It is my treat for your birthday,” said Marianne. “It is not for more than a month.” “I’ll be gone to Tahiti by then, so this is your early birthday present.”
I am lucky or what? This is the second time being treated within a week.