Fair Leverage

"There is ART and there is LIFE, and a man has only one heart."
-Edgar Degas
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Degas
PHOTO: By Hanne Reid, Vancouver, CANADA
http://www.redbubble.com/people/hanne

Twenty-five years ago today:

July 12, 1985
Friday

This morning Al Martinez said, "Hey Michael! You have a screw lodged in one of your front tires!"
He wasn’t kidding. I saw it! Yikes! That will need to be checked-out during the week I am gone. I better make a list for Morris-Landy Ford’s Service Department.

At about a quarter to noon Assistant Manager, Ethel, came over to my desk.
She said, “Michael, you have someone in the lobby making a collect call to YOU!”
It was Rachelle, of course. She drove out here to The City with her girlfriend, Danee. I treated them to pizza and Heineken beers at the Crocker Galleria. Dale did not show up for work so he didn’t get to join us. I kissed Rachelle a few times and then gave a final kiss goodbye for the day.

After work I drove to mom’s house and gave her some mail (bills to be paid) that she would hand-stamp at her workplace (the post-office). I proceeded to go to the gym and Kelly was there. She seemed all ‘prettied up’ today. She was prettier than usual this time. She looked at me and we did exchange a few words. I am beginning to wonder if she might be interested in me.

The tall curly-haired dude (named Randy, I think) asked, “Hey, where’s your old lady?”
What a creep. I hate a guy who calls a guys’ girlfriend an ‘old lady’. I just shrugged and said, “She couldn’t make it today.”

I decided to be brave and asked Kelly, “Do you want to go for an Orange Julius after our workout?”
Kelly answered, “They’re fattening!”
“Oh, I guess you’re right.”
Kelly continued, “Before I joined this gym in February I used to drink, smoke and do drugs. I’m completely reformed except for an occasional getting high. I’m going shopping after my workout.”
I didn’t want to pressure her or be overly persistent. I thought, “She had her chance…and blew it!”
I made a smirk and thought, “She won’t be getting to know me much more except for a HI or a BYE unless she recommends a drink or something.”

Besides, I should not have even asked her out since I am seeing Rachelle. Then again, Rachelle has so many male scapegoats that it makes me sick. I need to have some fair leverage as well. After the workout it was 8:15PM. I arrived at Rachelle’s house by 8:30PM.
I suggested, “We could go see ‘The Emerald Forest’ at ten o’clock. That's when it starts.”
She frowned, “I think I just want to go to your place.”
“No! This time we are going to the movies!”
She turned red and got upset. “I hate going to the movies on my weekends!”
This kind of talk all led to my being ‘boring’ and ‘no fun’. If she could just relax and not be so worried about what we do things would be better. As it is she’s a bitch! She’s a real, nagging bitch at times.

I raised my voice, “If you feel bored, then don’t go out with me!”
Five minutes later she was kissing me with full tilt passion. We ended up going to my place and making love in my bedroom just before we left for the flick. We sneaked in a couple of wine coolers into the movie theater. She almost fell asleep twice during the movie. It was a classic adventure film. I enjoyed it. I drove Rachelle home after the movies. I came home and slept soundly. Dreamland.

Can good intentions produce good results? How do we live with ourselves when they don't?
-Christopher Bram
"Mapping The Territory"