The Beginnings - Part 115: YOU'RE BEING BRAVE NOW

“What matters is how we spend the time we’re given.”

-Paul Russell

THE UNREAL LIFE OF SERGEY NABOKOV, a novel

The Beginnings – Part 115:  YOU’RE BEING BRAVE NOW

October 26, 1983

Work always seems to be the same routine.   I did enjoy lunch with Helen though.   We went to the Ordway Building.   We found our way inside some shop and opened a bottle that had the words ‘Pet Fart’ printed on the outside of the container.  

I opened it and a man’s voice said out loud, “Uh oh, you let it out!”

That was funny.   There was another box that was imprinted ‘How do you spell relief?’

Inside it spelled our S.H.I.T.   Once again we laughed.   Helen and I were cracking-up. 

After work I went for a bike ride along the beach that lasted until six-thirty when it started to get dark.   It felt good.   My cough seems to be neutralizing.   I feel better.

George never bothered to contact me.   He had promised he would call.   Once again he did not keep to his word.   I’ve decided to NOT call him anymore.   I know I’ve written those words before but this time I really must allow him to do the initiating.  

One guy did keep his word though.   It was Jim.   The guy from Walnut Creek that I met at the skating rink last night.   We had such a good talk.   We spoke of diverse subjects like WHEATIES Cereal, bowling, bike riding, DYNASTY, George Jones, being aggressive, weight lifting, Halloween costumes, Walnut Creek and the Martinez area.   He is such a nice guy.   We have such a good, easy time conversing.   I learned a lot about myself from his insights, opinions and predictions.

Jim said, “You know…you really resemble Clark Gable.”

I laughed, but took the compliment with a grain of salt.

“Thanks.”

“You also remind me of my brother who is also a Gemini.”

“What is your opinion of a Gemini?”

“Well…sometimes they are uncaring about what others think.   They have a two-way personality and they’re willing to be adventurous and do some pretty wild things when the feelings arise.”

“Wow…I can relate to some of that.   I think.”

Jim laughed. 

I liked how he was so frank with me.   We had such a good, intelligent and open-conversation.

“Listen…why don’t I call you after DYNASTY and we can talk more?”

“Okay,” Jim replied.

I telephoned Vicki Perata but her mom answered the phone and said, “Oh, Vicki went shopping.”

I gave my information and her mother promised she would have her call me back.

I really liked Jim’s response when I said, “I am not going to call George anymore.”

Jim answered, “You’re being brave now…and that’s a very good decision.”

We continued our talk and I liked his sense of optimism when he said, “I predict we will end up together at Dan and Ken’s Halloween Party…but I don’t know.”

Was he testing me?   I played it cool like any secret agent would.   There’s no point in saying too much.

I realize that George, dope (marijuana) and I simply do not mix well.   I know he loves to have his dope time.   Shit!  

During our last contact George had said, “I had a joint when we went to see Carol Burnett.   I deserved it for holding out for such a long while.”

Somehow I didn’t believe him.   I’m sure he wasn’t holding out on the junk.

During the course of watching the latest episode of DYNASTY I received a phone call from Helen.   She felt a need to speak to me about her ex-fiancé, Arnold.

Helen said, “Arnold had a kid with some lady and he told me I should think about having a kid soon.”

She actually hinted that I would be a likely prospect for her to court in order to conceive.   This surprised me; however, I really believe she was serious.   I am unsure about which passage to take.   What door should I open?  

Vicki also called me back.  She was quite sincere.

Vicki said, “My exam was postponed.   And now my sister is up here from Washington and will be leaving for Germany soon.”

This all led to her cancelling-out on our date for tomorrow night.

“It’s okay.   I understand.”

“I feel really bad.  I do want to go out with you.  Maybe we can go out next week.   Call me early next week.”

“Okay.”

I was a tad disappointed.  

I will have to share this news with Jim.   Perhaps he and I can arrange something in Walnut Creek tomorrow night since I will now be free.   When I called Jim again we had another great conversation.   I have to admit that I was surprised when he asked me a question with regard to penis size.

Jim asked, “Are you small or medium?”

I felt pressured to answer, “Medium.”

“I’m in-between medium and big.”

Whatever that means?   I suppose it’s all relative.   It was funny.   He’s really an interesting chap.   I enjoy his company.   He gave me a good suggestion for my Halloween costume.

Jim said excitedly, “I think you should be a football player.”

“I’ll have to look into it.   If I do that I’m sure I’ll look really big.”

He laughed.

Though I am filled with irresolvable questions about his motives, and am half expecting that he has laid some sort of trap (but why go to all that trouble?), I am at the same time hungry for this bit of honest human contact.  Perhaps he is as well.

-Paul Russell

THE UNREAL LIFE OF SERGEY NABOKOV, a novel