The Beginnings - Part 100: A SPLIT-SECOND

“Possession isn’t LOVE.”

-Dante’s Cove

Season III

 The Beginnings – Part 100:    A SPLIT-SECOND

October 4, 1983, Tuesday

Otha McCain, my ex-supervisor presented me with my Evaluation Performance today.   It was a very, very good one.   I was pleased to say the least.

I went to pick-up my car at the ROUSE TIRE SERVICE after work.   The service guy who helped me out was very nice.   I started up my car and drove to Helen’s parent’s house in Oakland, near the Montclair area.   Helen was house-sitting for them while they are away in CHINA.   She invited me over.     I arrived a bit early and Susan Espino (our coworker) dropped by with her tantrum-like child, Michelle.   

I loved Helen’s homemade banana nut bread.   We ate a few slices together.   I also enjoyed some of Helen’s special apple juice brew.   Susan left and Helen and I ended up having dinner.   We also lifted weights and watched some television.  

I helped Helen select items to order in the company SALES FOR SUCCESS Catalog.   It was a nice, relaxed evening visit.    I ended up sleeping in her brother’s room.   It was late and she encouraged me to stay.   She’s the perfect hostess.

October 5, 1983

I received a surprise phone call from Frank Vasconcellos while at work today.   I was unable to reach him when I tried to return his phone call.    I decided to call Tammy to see if she knew anything.   We talked for a while and had a very nice chat about our latest happenings.    I really do miss the times with her.   She always made me laugh.   We talked about spending more time together.

“Are you still going to the skating rink?” I asked.

“Sometimes…I was there last night.  You know…I saw George Jones there last night.”

“You did?” I asked.  

I wasn’t feeling not too thrilled to hear this gossip.

George had told me the previous morning that he’d be sleeping.   Oh well…I can see he found some energy to go to the gay skating rink.   We’ll see what he says the next time we talk.  He's in hot water.

I tried calling Frank and ended up speaking to his old fogey boss.   He seems to be overly protective of Frank.   Sometimes I think Frank is such a ‘dipshit’ to associate with these old fogey types.    This is his boss, so I guess there has to be an exception here.  

I finally reached Frank.

Frank asked, “Would you like to go to LA this weekend?”

“Uh…I don’t know.   I never thought of it.   It’s something to think about.   I would like to get a couple of days off to extend the weekend for a trip like that.”

“I think you should go.”

“No…maybe another weekend would be better.”

I couldn’t help but wonder if he was at the skating rink last night.   Did he see George there?   Does he think my relationship with George is over now?

I finally spoke to George.   He wasn’t too open with me about going to the gay skating rink last night.   I had to drag it out of him.   I guess we are still ‘an item’.   Why does he do these things secretly? 

Nici, the seductress, called me.

I told her, “I was just leaving to go for a bike ride.”

“Oh, I wanted to see you.”
“Why don’t you meet me along the beach?”

She did meet me on Shoreline Drive and then drove over to my place later.   We watched DYNASTY together.   She was much tamer.   It was nice.   I felt comfortable.

George was also watching DYNASTY with Scott and Steve tonight.

George had previously said, “I may call you later tonight if those guys don’t stay up too late.”

I had the feeling he would not be calling.

I have a tentative date tomorrow night in Berkeley with Nici for those bicycle flicks that I wanted to see.

On Friday, I may join David Vigil for ‘Happy Hour’.

On Saturday, I may be going out with Tammy Duhr.    I don’t believe I’ll be driving down to see George this weekend.   I wonder if he’ll notice that I’m missing in action.

October 6, 1983

I spoke to George for a split-second today.   I was on my last break and he was getting ready to go to work.

George said, “I tried calling you last night at eleven o’clock when I got home.”

“You did?”  I asked, “I must have fallen asleep.”

I was purposely trying to play hard-to-get.

After work I drove to Berkeley and saw one of the most fantastic bicycle movies.   I was pleased.   It was a very good documentary.   Nici was nowhere to be found.  When I got home I went to bed.   George didn’t bother to call me. 

“After this…we go DARK.”

-actor Daniel Olbrychski as Orlov

SALT, a 2010 motion-picture