Three Months

By letting go our fascination with the extraordinary and spectacular, we can allow ourselves to recognize the simply wonder that lies within the ordinary.
-Tony Parsons
"As It Is"

Twenty-five years ago today

February 8, 1986
Saturday

I drove into my garage hoping to see Chad's car parked there but it wasn't. I went upstairs, brushed my teeth and powdered my face. I was ready to jump into bed. I had looked at my bed before but I was in for a surprise at what I had NOT noticed. Chad had been lying flatly, so that I didn't realize he was there.

I got in to bed and said, "Oh My God" loudly. I realized someone ALIVE was in my bed. I realized, of course, that it was Chad but I didn't expect it. I took off his shorts and we embraced and caressed while lying in bed. Yes, it was a pleasant surprise. It was 4:45AM—or so—before I finally fell asleep.

Chad and I woke up and got ready for our Saturday outing. Chad did the driving to Sausalito 'in his car'. We had a good time, enjoying lunch at that HAMBURGER's joint. We ate outside on a marvelous day. It was a bit cold but so very clear. The sun was out.

We hit Mrs. Fields Cookies. Chad ended up running in to an old gal he used to tournament with 'dramatically' (whatever that means). After spending about an hour and a half in Marin County we drove in to San Francisco and bee-bopped around Fisherman's Wharf.

Chad had almost driven down a ONE-WAY street. His driving leaves much to be desired. I have invisible brakes on my side of the passenger seat that I find myself using often. We walked around PIER 39. I sipped a hot-chocolate near the actual pier while enjoying the view.
Suddenly Chad said, "I'll be out in front when you're done with the hot-chocolate."
When I was done I couldn't find him, so I figured the best thing to do was to go to his car. I remained at his parked car and he appeared after a while.
Chad explained patiently, "I was visiting a few T-shirt shops and watching two little black boys fidget and stand immobile while trying to collect money from strangers."
I shrugged in silence.

We returned to my place in Alameda where we had a 'top of the staircase' session. We relaxed on the downstairs sofa and fell asleep until Liz called. Liz is Chad's friend (who happens to live in Alameda). My call-waiting interrupted the Chad and Liz phone call. It was Stephanie Redding but I didn't speak to her.
Chad said, "Mike will call you back."


After our nap we got our acts together and decided to go out to see OUT OF AFRICA, the Oscar nominated movie. First, I drove to AlphaBeta for snacks. Chad went to a bank teller machine for some spending money. I continued driving in to San Francisco to the REGENCY I Theater. It's a very nice theater.


It was funny walking through Polk Street and visiting the HEADLINES store where they sell all sorts of cards and foolish gifts. While in line at the movies some man had his head in traction and we were glad he didn't sit in front of us.


I felt the OUT OF AFRICA was great in a cinematography sense. It was just too slow moving and not as touching as was THE COLOR PURPLE. I was falling asleep, feeling fidgety by having to sit there from 10:30PM until 1AM. We went straight home to my pad after the movie. We went home and fell asleep.


Bonni Jayne had called me in the early morning hours. I didn't return her call. I don't really care to spend a lot of time with her only because I feel as time has passed so have we (like two ships passing in the night). She's 'sort of' in another world that I don't feel like experiencing. She'll always be a loving friend but that's the extent of it.


Chad and I had our three-month anniversary tonight.
Chad jokingly asked, "It's three months, so now do we break up?"
He only said it because I had previously mentioned to him once that my relationships are far and few between in that they only last about three months.

He will only learn by repeating his gestures thousands of times, and by not being afraid to make mistakes.
-Paulo Coelho
"Like the Flowing River"