Last time I saw her was 1969 A sophomore in high school The oldest childhood friend of mine We grew up together On the grounds of a private school Both our dads were teachers But we pretended that we were cool When she was four years old She wore lipstick and plastic high heels Strutted around the campus I thought she was a very, very big deal Though I was one year older She was so much bolder When the school went bankrupt We parted but I told her We'd be friends for all time That was 1969 What are we doing with our lives? I can see the disappointment in your eyes You look like one of those society wives Jane I was at the Indianapolis airport Checking my machine When I heard your message "Guess who this is, Christine? A voice from your past Getting back in touch I'm coming to New York next week I want to see you so much" I was stunned, I called her We laughed just like old times Picked up where we both left off In 1969 Talked about the passing years Made plans to rendezvous Aw, Jane, it was so good To hear from you What are we doing with our lives? I can see the disappointment in your eyes You look like one of those society wives Jane You arrive at my apartment We laugh and hug and squeal Say that we both look the same When we both know that's not for real We bring each other up to date both our dads are gone Marvel at how well Our moms have carried on You're not surprised at how I live You say you always knew I would not take the beaten path I had thought the same for you What happened to that little girl Who bent all the rules The four year old in lipstick Raising hell at that private school What are we doing with our lives I can see the disappointment in your eyes You look like one of those society wives Jane You show me pictures of your second husband Your horses and your kids Though outwardly you're happy I suspect you're keeping a tight lid I take you to a restaurant Recommended by the Times We order a la carte Wash it down with wine We drink a toast to 1969 Your words are tumbling Too fast for me to hear The past and present are colliding You look close to tears But you do not break You laugh and joke Then take another sip I pretend not to see That tremble in your lip What are we doing with our lives? I can see the disappointment in your eyes You look like one of those society wives Jane I put you in a taxi As it begins to rain I hug you it was so good To finally see you Jane You drive off I feel guilty Because I know I could have probed much deeper But you said you had to go What made you place that phone call Are you longing for the past Are you grasping for the friendship Teenagers think will last Are you the girl that I remember Are you the woman that I see Are you as confused When you look at me What are we doing with our lives I can see the disappointment in your eyes You look like one of those society wives Jane