Two. “Just enough,” you said, “for dessert.” “Just enough,” you said, as I munched one and absently nodded my assent.

Two hours. Just enough time to check us off your “list.”

To regale us with details of your recent endeavors–highly successful. To provide detailed information about your sons’ lives and latest pursuits. To share pictures and even a story about buying a used car.

Two hours. To direct the conversation and skim over our lives. What did you learn about our lives during that visit? Beyond the superficial–”and how is your family?” Do you know their names? Anything about them? 

Two chocolate almonds: just enough. 

And that seems to be the point, after all. “Just enough.”