The Beginnings - Part 149: A BIT TOO CHUMMY

Did you ever think the universe was against you?
-as heard while watching the 2012 film
CLOUD ATLAS

The Beginnings – Part 149:   A BIT TOO CHUMMY

November 29, 1983

Tuesday

It was a bit depressing while at work today.  My job transfer requests were returned with C-3 ratings for my Directory Sales jobs.   A C-1 rating is given only if one has actually done the job before.   A C-2 rating is given when one is highly qualified.  My C-3 is a ‘somewhat qualified’ rating.   I didn’t get a C-4, so that’s heavenly; however, anyone else that has submitted for these jobs that has a C-1 or C-2 will have priority over me.   That’s depressing.  Such is life.   Time will tell.   I will just keep my fingers crossed.

After work I drove over to mom and dad’s house and ate a good meal.   When I walked in to the Townhouse I had some solitary time for about twenty minutes.   Suddenly, John and Sherri appeared and watched the videotaped movie of BREATHLESS.    I sensed that they wanted ‘alone time’, so I left for MACY’s and the RECORD FACTORY.   I couldn’t find the SPARKS cassette at the RECORD FACTORY.   I like their song called  ANGST IN MY PANTS.

I soon arrived at the gay skating rink in San Leandro.   The first recognizable face was Ned.   I see him at the StarGaze dance club in Fremont sometimes.   Frank Vasconcellos showed up, looking as cute as ever.   Then Leah (of Danville) showed up and I felt like a snail, going back in to my shell.   She makes me feel so shy.   I finally approached her.

I asked Leah, “Hey, would you like to go out sometime?”
She didn’t exactly jump at my offer.
"Well…I’m feeling kind of depressed right now over a bad experience with this girl.”
My light-bulb went ‘ON’ and I asked myself silently, “You’re gay?”
I couldn’t say the words aloud.   By the end of the evening she did give me her telephone number though.  So…who knows where it will lead?   If she likes girls and I like boys…why can’t we like each other, too?

Some new guy named Bill Helbush kept rapping with me after each time he circled the rink.   I almost looked forward to his next rotation because he’d make a point to stop to exchange a few words with me.   He bought me a Budweiser, too.   Bill was nice.   On one rotation he slipped me a note with his name and telephone number.

I also met Alexis of San Francisco.   She was super nice as well.   I had a good time.

George Jones came by me, too.

George said, “I’m getting paid tomorrow and I will be mailing you the money.”
I guess that’s a good sign.  I know I can’t count on his word.  He’s a flake.

I couldn’t get over how sweet Alexis was to me.  

“Where are you from?” I asked.
“I’m from New York.”
“Oh wow…that’s a long way from here.”
“Yes, how old are you?”
I smiled, “Old enough to have a good time…what did you have in mind…but no…I’m twenty-four.”
She smiled back, “Wow…I thought you were younger.  I’m twenty-three.”
"And I thought you were younger.”
Alexis is a bit overweight and short but she has excellent hair, great looks and beautiful teeth.   I feel an attraction toward her.

Bill Helbush has a good physique.   He’s a bit too chummy.   He now has my telephone number (as does Alexis).   We will see who I will be going out with soon.   Will I hear from Bill?  Will I hear from Alexis?

I was a little embarrassed when I returned home.   John’s car wasn’t in the garage but his bedroom door was closed.
John shouted, “Don’t come in!”
I guess he and Sherri were engaging in some sort of sexual activity.   I could only assume that to be true.

I know my behavior is reckless, I know I still have many pages to write, but I cannot resist.

-Paul Russell
THE UNREAL LIFE OF SERGEY NABOKOV, a novel