We first met in 2002, about the time of the football World Cup. We just hit it off.
We would catch up most nights. Even if it was just for an hour or so.
We spent a lot of time together that first year and, if I'm honest, it continued for many years after.
I know there were times early on when Mrs P felt I spent more time with my friend than her, but I also know that, in the end, she grew to accept our friendship and see it not as a threat but necessary for channelling my spiritual and emotional wellbeing in the right direction.
There were also times when I spent more money than I should have, particularly when my friend's business was ailing.
Again Mrs P was supportive. I'll always love her for that.
This week, after I had waved my friend farewell, Mrs P was by my side, assuring me everything would be all right.
There would be other friends, other ways to explore personal enrichment, she said.
I'm not so sure.
I don't think I'll ever get over having Sky TV cut off.
THE GOOD NEWS
Anyway, on the brighter side, I have just discovered I am $6000 richer.
A nice man in Nigeria will deposit it in a Bitcoin bank account for me once I provide a few details.
And an iPhoneX is apparently winging its way to me very shortly as is my opportunity to take shares in a marijuana-selling business, pick up free wine, groceries and take an overseas holiday.
It seems its only good news for me today.
I've also been given 100 free spins in an online casino operation, the IRD wants me to send my details so they can send me the huge amount of cash they are holding for me and a pharmacy in Canada is confident they can help increase the size of my manhood.
Good timing. A lady called Cindy from some adult company overseas has been in touch and wants to be, er, "friends" too.
I'm not sure I'm too happy that "Gary" is contacting Mrs P with a special coupon offer (I've heard some corny pick-up lines but come on ...) and I am genuinely delighted with the tone of the congratulatory email from Apple telling me the computer I lost has been found and they will return it — just as soon as I can provide them with my details.
I might have to check with Mrs P first though. I don't recall ever owning an Apple computer or indeed applying for a loan with a Chinese company which also needs my details to verify my successful application for $20,000.
I'm sure Mrs P will tell me I have never bought or owned anything like that or indeed had so much luck in the hour from 7am to 8am on a Monday morning.
She'll probably also tell me not to go surfing the junk email inbox and that I need to delete it all.
Kevin Page is a teller of tall tales with a firm belief that laughter helps avoid frown lines. Your own tales and feedback are welcome on kevin.page@nzme.co.nz.
