Being Super Sweet

You would think as you get older your mind would fill up with what they call the spiritual side of things, but mine just seems to get more and more practical, trying to get something settled.

-Alice Munro
OPEN SECRETS, Short Stories: Carrie Away

Twenty-five years ago today:

May 25, 1987
Monday

It was the Memorial Day holiday.  Jeff Sombat called me from Hawaii to say, “Happy Birthday”! That was nice.

I rented a movie called RUTHLESS PEOPLE. It was okay. The other videotape I rented (DOWN AND OUT IN BEVERLY HILLS) was defective, so I never did really see it. It was truly a lounge about sort of day…quite nice.
Tony, Helen and Lauren stopped by and gave me a ‘stamp of a bike’ and some underwear for my birthday. The underwear was a little odd---but I’ll use them. Ha-ha.

Mom came over to wash her car in my driveway. I didn’t mind. In fact, I liked the company. Tony couldn’t help himself and decided to wash his car, too. I didn’t wash mine though. I just didn’t feel like it.

Chris Cordellos called to wish me a Pre-Happy Birthday.
Chris asked, “Hey, do you want to go to dinner tomorrow night?”
“Sure, that would be great.”
He’s too cool.
I watched a TV-movie called MURDER ORDAINED. It was based on a true story.   I took a quick shower.  As I was getting ready for bed the phone rang.

Eileen had finally called me. It was 11:35PM.
“Oh Mikeee…Happy Birthday!”
She was being super sweet.
“Why don’t you come over here tomorrow night…when you get out of work?”I’m such a sucker for sweet talk. I think I will go over to see her. I think I will. I can still be back to Alameda for my dinner outing with Chris. Why not?

Tomorrow is my birthday. I keep thinking I need to work out more. I will make the time. Tomorrow is my very own personal New Year’s Day. It’s time for a new beginning.

He liked to plan his seductions like a military operation.
She had remarked casually: “Every girl likes to get a present.”
-Edward Rutherford
LONDON, the novel