not long after this, i came across a rather lonely scene in dupont circle: an older same-sex couple eating dinner together, sitting side by side at a dining table before a full picture window, staring out at the young ones going by to the bars. no talking. no interaction. mutual solitude. is a "long-time companion" going to be enough? if i added an adopted child into this picture would that be a family? i have to say, i don't think so.