Smelly Fish

It has been a week, and I worry that the fish may stink a little.  The old saying, "guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days" probably is the rule of thumb I should adhere to when visiting my friend here in Paris. But again, it may not be the length of my visit as it is that we are two middle aged hens bumping about the same roost. She lives alone, so, she is used to being alone. Then I come along and even though I am trying my best to stay out of the way, be sensitive to her space and privacy, understand her long work hours and try to memorize where everything goes after I have moved it, so that I put it back in the correct spot, I still manage to flub up. She, in turn, is trying to give me space, understand my desire to visit with her, make light of the fact that things are in the wrong place, and make room for me. I know she is trying her best and she knows I am trying my best, but...as we are two middle-aged ladies with definite ideas about things, it is a rather carefully orchestrated dance.
What I want, but would never say, is for her to say "You are all the way here to see me, so let's spend the day together. We can go around and have lunch somewhere....I am so happy to see you." I know she thinks this, and then her body, which is working 12 hour days 5 days a week, is over whelmed with fatigue. I understand this. I do, really! But the selfish part of me wants to feel welcomed and loved. But I am not being fair.
She is trying very hard to make me feel welcome, but she also treats me as an old, old friend. One that is welcome anytime, but that she does not have to impress. She knows I will accept her "warts and all." In turn, she does give me time, when she can. She worries that I will feel bad that she is too tired to talk (my goodness...she is the one speaking in English to accommodate me, that has to be tiring after a while), but we have come to an understanding, and I am not offended when she says she needs silence and solitude.
My problem is that there is not one else to talk to. So thoughts roll around in my head, and I am ready to talk, talk, talk...
So, I must re-channel all this into writing. There is plenty to work with, now that the fog of jet lag has cleared a bit. This will be beneficial for me, and a relief for her. And in doing this, she will feel more relaxed and ready to spend what time she does have with me. I know we are old friends. And the fish is very well preserved (briny even) so that it may smell like fish, but it will not stink.