Santa's Helper

Man is an animal organism with (like others) an unmistakably bisexual disposition. The individual corresponds to a fusion of two symmetrical halves, of which, according to some investigators, one is purely male and the other female.
-Sigmund Freud
"Civilization and its Discontents"

Twenty-five years ago today

December 12, 1985
Thursday

It was 9:07AM and Chad had set his alarm clock for 9:15AM.
“Chad, you have eight more minutes.”
It was now 9:12AM.
“Chad, you have three minutes.”
Suddenly, he yelled at me.
“I can’t stand that!”
Chad stormed out of the bed and yelled loudly, “Please don’t do that!”
I said calmly, “Please don’t yell at me.”
Then Chad stormed in to the bathroom and shut the door.

I remained in bed for a while and then decided to get up myself. I was planning to stay and wash my car while he got his hair cut but I decided to just leave.

By the time Chad came out of the bathroom he transformed his attitude and became apologetic.
“I’m sorry for yelling.”
He tried to rationalize his grouchiness in the mornings.
“It’s all right,” I said, giving in easily.
I still decided to leave when he departed for his scheduled hair cut appointment.

I went straight to mom’s house and enjoyed a hearty meal of pancakes for breakfast. I went ahead and washed my car after all. I had the air pressure in my tires checked, including the oil, lube and filter change. I returned to my place and went over to play with my niece, Ashley, for a while. I ate a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch.

I took a nap at mid-afternoon and dreamt about all of my bills that needed to be paid. It’s true that we all try to dream our problems away. Chad had previously mentioned a dream of someone trying to kill—or get rid of—him. I bet that someone is Larry, his roommate, because in reality he has been hinting and pressuring Chad to move out of his house.

I thought I left my keys inside my house and locked myself out at four o’clock today. I sneaked into mom’s house and couldn’t find my spare key. I telephoned Dad at his work place.
Dad solved the mystery: “I have the spare key and garage opener in my Pinto.”
Since Dad’s Pinto was parked at his work establishment at the Del Monte Corporation I chose to stay over at my brother’s (John) house until 11:30PM (when my Dad would be getting home).

After John left for work and Sherri was about to leave I realized that I’d left my keys at John’s house all along when I came by earlier to play with Ashley.

I left a message with Larry.
“Oh, Hi Larry, could you just tell Chad that I called.”
“Okay, I know he’s at his folks’ house.”

I received a phone call from Steph Redding.
“So Michael, how do you like my book, The Texas Temptress?”
“Well, I haven’t had a chance to start it yet.”

Chad returned my call. I arranged a meeting with him at the Southland Mall in Hayward for 8PM.

I left my house and arrived at the Southland Mall before Chad. I ended up browsing some stores and bought my sister-in-law, Sherri, a purse for Christmas. The sales girl was cute, too. She gave me a tempting ‘I like you’ kind of smile.
I smiled back and said, “You make a good lookin’ Santa’s helper. It makes me want to be Santa!”
After purchasing the gift she said, “You’d make a cute Santa.”
That statement could be taken as a complement—I guess.

Chad showed up and we shopped for a shirt for my Company Christmas Cruise Party and a gift for my niece, Lauren. I also bought a few strawberry preserves for my office Section.

Lastly, Chad and I went to our clean cars (both were washed today). We sat in my car for a while and Chad was wondering about me. I think he was a trite bit worried about how and why I left his house this morning. I believe he just wanted reassurance of my feelings—but he must know! I mean, I do “feel” for Chad. He trusts me as I do him.

I went home and was in bed by 10:30PM.
Chad telephoned.
“I wanted to wish you a good night. I’ll call you between five forty-five and eight o’clock tomorrow night so we can get together at the gym and maybe come to my place for a pizza and video.”
I replied, “I like that idea…and I look forward to it.”

I was falling asleep when Denise Vinsonhaler telephoned.
“Are you blind to NOT know when someone really likes you?” Denise asked, “Namely me!”
I laughed.
She continued, “I’ll come to San Francisco tomorrow afternoon to meet you for lunch.”
“Okay,” I said, but I’m skeptical. I’ll believe it when I see it.

Chad had told me he’d meet me in The City for lunch on Monday, December 16th. It’s his birthday. He’ll be the BIG ‘26’.

"She delights me."
-actor, Eric Bogosian
TIME STANDS STILL
Broadway Play, CORT Theater