Jealous of Me

"To win a game of chess, you must plan further ahead than your opponent. That single move beyond the scope of what he has envisioned is what creates checkmate and defines victory."
-John Katzenbach
"The Analyst"

Twenty-five years ago today

December 6, 1985
Friday

I had fun drinking and socializing with my peers at the Conference yesterday. I know the Christmas Cruise will be just as enjoyable—if not more.

Carl Brooks is also having a social Christmas gathering on December 22nd. I’m leery about attending and whether or not I should bring along a guest. I may ask Chad to accompany me. I hope he’ll want to go.

When I arrived home last night I called Chad and shared the news about my brother transferring to my office. He made me feel better.
Chad reassured me, “You’ll be putting in your transfers soon, so it won’t be so bad.”
“That’s true.”

Chad and I may see one another tonight. I don’t know for sure. I have a section dinner to attend at ‘Restaurant on the Bay’ in San Francisco. After the dinner I expect to be heading to my gym at 9PM.

I drove Carl Brooks and Margaret Lai home. Carl was all bummed out because he broke his crystal box with his initials on it. We all received one.
I called Stephanie Bautista when I got home, explaining Carl’s sadness.
She said, “I’ll find out how to get his replaced.”

Steph Redding is to mail my letter of recommendation soon, so that’s another plus. I cross my fingers to my forthcoming transfer request. Please…

Work was busy with half of the office gone for the Conference. After our work day I drove with Carl to Pier 39 and found ‘Restaurant on the Bay’. We waited for the arrival of the rest of our Section. We ate dinner and joked over a number of subjects. All the while I was looking forward to the latter part of my evening (when I met up with Chad).

Forgetfully, I failed to telephone Chad. When I arrived home at about 9PM I thought I’d surprise him at the gym, so I went straight over there. I left the gym at 10:45PM when I called him. Chad was about to leave to pick up his Dad at the Oakland Airport. His dad was returning from Chicago. I made arrangements to accompany Chad to the airport. When we arrived at Oakland Airport we saw Larry leaving the terminal and he seemed pissed-off. He didn’t even say hello to me. It was as if I was invisible.

“Larry seems to be jealous of me,” I blurted.
Chad finally agreed to that one.

Anyway we took Chad’s Dad home and stayed at his folks’ house for a good while. They’re nice folks. I liked them.

"You can't kill love before it's over. It will seek revenge."
-as heard in the 1999 French Film
"Children of the Century" ("Les enfants du siècle")