so, obviously I'm still awake. I decided to map where my dad lives again. I hadn't realized how close he lives to the water (LI sound); it just seemed like generic CT to me. Shows how much I know! His town is right on the water and right across the water from Montauk. There is a direct, 1-hour ferry between Montauk and New London. When we were in Montauk in July, I finally realized how it was closer to New England than anywhere else (mind blown). Now this adds a whole new level of Montauk weirdness. The fact that my mom and I always had a special connection to the place, etc. Probably doesn't mean anything...but it's hard to wrap my head around. Also, Montauk becomes a legit quasi-halfway spot where we could meet for the first time. Part of my hesitation to go forward with this has been the lack of a "neutral" spot to meet. And wouldn't it be nice, by the beach? Of course, this is all fantasy right now. QE...