The Beginnings - Part 35: ECHO BEACH

One does not need to fall in love with a man to become emotionally connected with him.
-Christopher Bram
EMINENT OUTLAWS

The Beginnings – Part 35: ECHO BEACH

May 27, 1983

I woke up at 5:30AM and took a shower at Helen’s house. I met Geneva’s new boyfriend (Derek Hibbard). He seemed nice.

I couldn’t believe I had to go to work today. Helen and I arrived at the office at precisely 8:25AM. It was a close five minute call. We had to make a run for it.

Everyone teased me a little while at work, calling me ‘a drunk’.
Pat exclaimed with laughter, “I didn’t know you were such a drunk!”
I laughed it off.  I was simply having a good time because it was my Birthday. A few people did notice that I was wearing the same clothes today. Ooops.

It was an ‘okay’ day despite the fact that the Assistant Manager named Moe had observed a couple of customer contact phone calls with me. One call came in from Nici Maurino in repair and we had a ‘too lengthy’ and ‘too friendly’ conversation.
Moe said, “Don’t worry—I won’t count it against you.”
I guess Moe took my tipsy condition last night into consideration. Moe is cool.

After work Helen treated me to an early dinner at a place in North Oakland called YOSHI’s. It could actually be considered to be in Berkeley. Helen reimbursed me with a check for twenty-one dollars because I paid with my credit card. We cruised over to SWEETS after dinner. It’s a new ice-cream joint in Alameda. I ordered a black and tan sundae while Helen enjoyed a banana nut ice-cream.

As far as the rest of the evening I chose to relax at home. I watched taped episodes of THE EDGE OF NIGHT and THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS. I was feeling rather young and restless on this edge of the night. I went to bed early. I needed to be in tip-top shape for my move-in day to my new San Leandro apartment tomorrow.

May 28, 1983

I woke early to start off right on the moving day process. It took only two separate trips in my car to take my clothes, boxes and other memorabilia. By 4PM I was done.

I was invited over to Helen’s for her homemade banana nut bread. I didn’t go because I was too exhausted.

Nici Maurino came over to see my apartment. She treated me to dinner at the RED ROBIN at Bay Fair Shopping Center. We returned to my place in her jet-propelled Volkswagen bug. We watched a little bit of television as Nici spent time with positioning and placing of her fake fingernails.
As I watched I said, “Wow…I would never know they were fake fingernails!”
We also went for a dip in the apartment complex Jacuzzi and swimming pool. It was a nice way to begin the summer. Nici left my apartment by 10:30PM. We did give each other a kiss goodnight…but nothing more.

I fell asleep soon after Nici departed. Of course my phone rang. It was Doug Siu.
“Hey Mike, I was just calling to find out if things got situated.”
“Yeah, it’s all done. I’m all moved-in.”
“That’s great. My friend, Debbie Pang, still wants to meet you. We should go to GREAT AMERICA on Sunday morning.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Of course, when 9AM came rolling along I realized I needed to rest and suggested we go to GREAT AMERICA another day this summer.

My first night at my new pad was a relaxed and peaceful one.

Memorial Day, May 29, 1983

I went over to Helen Wong’s for her homemade banana nut bread this morning. We went to visit her mom’s house near the Oakland Hills to deliver her a loaf. Before we departed for Helen’s mom’s house I met Derek Hibbard again. He is Geneva’s new guy friend who apparently spent the night (with Geneva). He was wearing a robe. He’s pretty cool and reasonably good-looking. I wonder what will come of their relationship.

Helen and I combed the Alameda Flea Market and then stopped over at my mom and dad’s house. I needed to pick up my new shower curtain and towels that were delivered there. I loved my new forty-dollar BLACK PANTHER framed portrait that I bought at the Alameda Flea Market. I had a perfect place to hang it in my new apartment. I know I was attracted to the print because I loved that Nastassja Kinski movie called CAT PEOPLE so much.

Helen and I continue our shopping at FOOD 4 LESS. I purchased ninety-one dollars worth of food. I dropped her off at home and went over by my pool with my latest issue of ESQUIRE MAGAZINE and my SONY Walkman radio headphones. I just chose to lie there and relax. The sun made me feel tired, so I took a nap on my new white couch with the air-conditioning on. I woke up at around 8PM in the mood for a visit to the dance club called ECHO BEACH in San Francisco. It is often jointly advertised on my QUAKE radio station. The club is open at 9:30PM and closes at 4AM.

Once I arrived at ECHO BEACH there didn’t seem to be all that much excitement. I guess I arrived too early. I sat in my car, making notes in my journal because there was no line to get in to the club. It was already dark by 9:30PM. I wondered what passers-by were thinking of me as I was writing in my car.

I was smiling as I was writing. I felt as though I was a 007 undercover agent investigating the exterior happenings at the ECHO BEACH nightclub. My name is MICHAEL, I wrote. My CODE name is JARED YORK.

The evening progressed with me checking out the interior of the club. I liked the lighting.
I was talking to one guy at the bar about ‘getting carded’ and he said, “I thought you could be seventeen or so.”
I laughed, “No, I’m twenty-four.”
I finally ended up dancing to several tunes, meeting a number of girls. I was thrilled by the tunes they played at ECHO BEACH. I certainly wasn’t going to stay until 4AM. I left by 12:30AM.

As I was driving home I dwelled on this one gal that I had danced with. Her name was Christy.
“Where do you live?” I asked.
“Lafayette.”

I also danced with a girl named Linda who was with some guy, wearing a black-checkered shirt (very similar to mine). I also danced with Patrice, a new-wave looking gal, who was originally from Oregon. I also met Michelle Perez, a real knockout model-type. I gave Michelle my telephone number. Of course, I did chat with a guy named Sean at the bar area, too. He was from the state of Virginia and seemed to be really nice and friendly. I gave him my phone number, too. In fact, he was a very good-looking blond chap.   I suggested to Sean that I could show him more of the Bay Area.  Whether Michelle or Sean will be calling me is a big question mark.

May 30, 1983

I went on a picnic today with Michael Miller, Renee Miller, Suzy Miller, Helen Hayward and her husband, Dave at the CROWN MEMORIAL BEACH in Alameda. I cruised down Shoreline Drive with Michael Miller with my convertible top down. The summer breeze felt so good. I like Michael’s company. We seemed to get some ‘hot looks’ as we were cruising together in my car. It was fun and carefree.

I left the picnic to get my bike. I transported my bike in my car to San Leandro and then went for a ride around my new San Leandro surroundings. I made a phone call to Diane Melendres who lives at THE TIMBERS. I dropped over at her apartment and met her daughter, Ebony and her husband, Horace Williams along with some other friends of theirs.
Diane said, “I think I can play match maker with you with a girl named Cathy who works with me at IMPERIAL BANK.”
“That sounds good to me.”
I didn’t stay long but it was nice to meet some neighbors. I hadn’t seen Diane since fifth grade when we attended St. Anthony’s School in Oakland together. It was an interesting experience.

I returned home and telephoned Debbie Honcik.
“I moved!”
“You did?” Debbie asked.
She was very sweet and may come by to visit eventually.

I also called mom to get the TV listings for this evening. I didn’t have a TV GUIDE. Mom suggested a few things for me to watch. I realized that I missed mom’s company on Sunday nights. I was feeling homesick for Alameda; however, I’m really not so far away.

May 31, 1983

My first day of taking my bike on the BART train was exciting. It was a breezy day. It was fun and easier to do than I expected.

Helen came over to my apartment and we shared a fine home-cooked dinner together: Cornish game hen, broccoli and rice. It was yummy. We massaged each others’ feet after the meal and watched HAPPY DAYS, JOANIE LOVES CHACI and THREE’S COMPANY.

Diane Melendres called me and asked, “Michael, do you have Barbara Raupe’s telephone number?”
“No, but I can try to find it for you.”
I was so happy that she called me. She’s sweet to think of me…again.

Helen left my place before 10PM.

I realized that I have to meet Barbara Reynolds and her newfound, rich boyfriend tomorrow night. That should prove to be interesting. I’m also looking forward to starting the book that Helen let me borrow called CHANCES.

In Jean Cocteau’s extraordinary film version of the classic fairy tale BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, a sensitive beast lives in a magical castle, the walls and furnishings of which are all psycho sensitive. On the back of the Beast’s chair, in Latin, runs the motto: ALL MEN ARE BEASTS WHEN THEY DON’T HAVE LOVE.
-Diane Ackerman
A NATURAL HISTORY OF THE SENSES