The Beginnings - Part 126: I WAS MARRIED TO A WOMAN

Your destiny and mine are intertwined.

-Arthur Golden

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA

The Beginnings – Part 126:   I WAS MARRIED TO A WOMAN

November 6, 1983

This morning I went for a bike ride along Roanoke Drive in Martinez.   It’s always interesting to ride around an area that I don’t know.   When I returned to Jim’s house I discovered him in bed.  He was jerking-off!   I could also smell the aroma of that little bottle of whatever (POPPERS?) that he feels a need to sniff to supposedly accentuate his sensations.   

He got out of bed and made me some French toast.   We washed his car together after breakfast.  

Jim and I left for San Francisco to see the matinee show of the TORCH SONG TRILOGY.  The play started at 2PM and it was quite good.   It made me laugh.  It was about this one drag queen ‘guy’ who met some guy that he loved.    The plot thickened as the guy didn’t want to see the drag queen ‘guy’ anymore because he met a girl that he fell in love with and ended up marrying.   In the long run, the married guy would end up coming back to visit the drag queen ‘guy’ (while he remained in his marriage to the woman).  

After the show, Jim said, “The story reminded me of you.”

I laughed it off.

After the unique play we ate at some station for a grilled hamburger.  We talked.

I said, “I just feel guilty about seeing you when I want to see Paloma now.”

“I’m glad you are telling me.”

He suddenly felt like opening up some hidden truths of his own.

“You know, Mike.   I have to tell you.   My divorce will be finalized in January.   I was married to a woman.   I actually have a four year old son and a two and a half year old daughter named Brandon and Courtney.”

For some reason, I wasn’t too shocked.   I knew he held a deep imbedded secret.   It was just a matter of time.   I did recall that he had mentioned once before that he was divorced.   The only surprise realization is that he is still actually married right now.   This summed up the new events of the evening.  

Jim said, “I just don’t want you to make the same mistakes with your life that I have done.”

Jim drove me home and he urged me on by saying, “Please call me on Tuesday before I go skating.”

It’s doubtful that I will call him.   What’s the point?   I will be too busy with Paloma.   I want to start seeing Tammy again.   I need to understand if we will go anywhere or not.   The only way to know is if I do see Tammy more frequently.   If I become even more brave I may try calling Debbie Follrath. 

Jim and I actually departed with a mellow kiss.   I came into my pad and telephoned Paloma.   She was out for the evening to see the film RUMBLE FISH.   I can only guess (and hope) that she merely went out with some girlfriends.

Mom stopped by and watched the beginning of a movie called PRINCESS DAISY with me.   It was an interesting film that ‘took me away’.   Princess Daisy had a fetish for the wonders of the ART WORLD.   It made me realize how I would love to go back to school in January to pursue that interest.   ART intrigues me as well. 

I tried to think what is my life for, as if my life of course had a meaning, which is not necessarily so.

-Patricia Highsmith

THE BOY WHO FOLLOWED RIPLEY