i had a friend named jessica. we talked on the phone a lot. she broke her arm, and i was frequently over her house, getting things out of high cabinets for her.
one evening, i was on the subway platform late at night, a long wait for the next train, and i was talking to her on the phone. all of a sudden, i realized: i had *no memory* of a person named jessica becoming a part of my life! i didn't know anyone named jessica!
maybe… she was an imaginary friend!
so i casually and slyly asked her, "how long have we known each other?"
and she said, "six months."
it felt like our relationship was based on having known each other longer, but for some reason i was reassured.