Dear Chuck,

When we met up for coffee on 2/3/23, upstairs at Kimball’s (mezzanine, not the back room), it was the first time I’d seen you up close and in person since your wife passed.

I didn’t know her, only of her. And what I knew of her was this: she was deeply loved, and she loved others deeply—this, I believe, the most laudable and difficult-to-achieve legacy any person can leave.

As you approached, I stood up, put my arms out, and said, “I’ve not seen you in a long time, Chuck.” When we embraced, I said, “I’m very sorry for your loss.” We shared a good, long hug, which, when you finally broke it, revealed that we were both tearful.

That morning, ten months ago, I’d planned to get right down to business, get some information on what the hell was going on with the Apothecary’s license, see if the “go-to” guy for all things cannabis on the Select Board (since the very, very start) might know something, instead, you and I talked about your kids and my kids and COVID and the blood sport that is Littleton politics.

That morning, when I eventually got around to asking if you knew anything about the Apothecary being sold—I think I even offered up the “My mom sold the Apothecary for a million dollars, and now she’s going to travel the world” quote—you told me to contact Tom Porell.

I was familiar with Tom from our kids going to My School together, and Tom coached Salem in lacrosse for a couple of seasons when Salem was 7 or 8. Long after Salem had switched to soccer, when I’d bump into Tom Porell, usually at Town Meeting, was, “How’s that Salem doing? Love that kid.”

When I finally connected with Tom, by phone, on Valentine’s Day—just 11 days after meeting up with you—Tom did ask about Salem, like always, and then he was happy to share what he’d experienced with Matthew’s wife and with Matthew. He also shared some observations he made of you.

But before I really dig into that—because, let’s be honest, you knew long ago that this day would come—I want you to know, no matter what happens from here, I’m glad we had that hug,

Jkb

P.S. Hey Matthew, I’m not moving on. Just taking a little detour. Stay tuned.