by Lisa Powell

Created on: May 31, 2008   Last Updated: June 09, 2008

Standing here across the kitchen from my best friend, I can't tell you the day we met or when exactly we became friends. It seems like he has always been there. In reality it has only been about 2 years. But standing here in his kitchen watching him cook dinner for the one millionth time, it's like I have always known him.

At 57, Jack is 14 years older than I am. He is divorced with two grown children. He was married for 30 years when his wife asked him for a divorce. It has left him bitter and angry towards women. He is a law man by trade and will soon be retiring after 35 years of service. This too has left him bitter. He has seen his share of hurt both personally as well as in the world itself.

But this is only one side of my friend. The other side is kind and gentle. His humor is wonderful and he has a story for everything. He loves to go hunting and fishing and camping. He is an excellent cook and has a contagious laugh. He is kind to everyone and enjoys people in general. Jack is a true southern gentleman to most everyone he meets. To everyone but me!

Jack is brutally honest with me. He will tell me just what he thinks on any subject. It may be about how I am raising my children or the way I treat my husband. Jack will tell me just what he thinks whether I am going to like it or not. I have had to learn to be tough skinned. He means no harm. He is trying to teach me from his experience. Sometimes his honesty cuts through me like one of his hunting knives. But we are always friends. He can say things to me that no one else on this earth could get away with.

Now you may be asking yourself, why are they still friends if he is so cruel at times? I have never met anyone that I trust to be honest with me more than Jack. There are no games being played and he is always there to show me the other side of every situation. He asks only one thing from me, that I am just as honest with him. We are friends, best friends because he lets me know right where I stand all the time.

He knows just about everything about me and I learn something new about him everyday. I frustrate the hell out of him and like wise he does me as well. But there is no anger between us, even when we get into heated debates. Our other friends are not sure at times if we are arguing or just playing around.

Something else about Jack, he is not free with a compliment. So if he gives one, you must deserve it. You earn them with Jack. He doesn't believe in fluff. If he believes I need a reality check then you better bet he is going to slap me hard with it. And yet we are still friends.

A lot of people don't understand our relationship. People want to assume we are in love. No, we are not in love. It's about communicating with each other. It's about enjoying each other's company and finding things we have in common. We are more like a close brother and sister. My husband is aware of the friendship and even calls Jack my girlfriend, just to ruffle his feathers a bit. He is truly the best friend I have made as an adult. I hope we are always friends. I have learned so much from him and maybe just maybe he has learned from me too.

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