Thirteen years ago I was living with Marcelle in her in-law apartment. I was introduced to Marcelle by Hilda, my dear friend at San Francisco State, and I remember calling Marcelle “Dr. Kardush” when I first met her to tour her home. By the end of our meeting, we both knew my living there was a great idea, even though the rent was beyond my budget. It was beautiful and spacious – I had my own kitchen and bathroom and storage. And Marcelle seemed interesting, so I moved in a week later – a welcomed, peaceful relief from my Union Square apartment in San Francisco.
A month after I moved in, Marcelle invited her two sons over to have brunch. I remember walking into the room, seeing Andrei and Stefan sitting there and thinking Andrei was too cool for school and Stefan is my new conquest. I had to have him from that moment.
It took a while, but my former housemate, Marcelle, eventually turned into my mother-in-law. She became my housemate again after Stefan and I sold our loft in downtown San Francisco. (Boy were we livin’ large in the late 90’s before we got married and went vegan and had babies and moved to an avocado orchard.)
Thank you, Marcelle, for arranging that brunch.