The Slap

"You have to earn forgiveness.
You can't run from your mistakes."
-KYLE-XY
Season II

PHOTO, December 14, 1985:
Chad Mark Glen, Karyn Kossoff, Michael Armijo

Twenty-five years ago today

December 14, 1985
Saturday

I woke up and went to mom’s house. We had a nice talk. She was setting up the Christmas tree. We laughed together. We made each other smile.

I met Chad at Bay Fair Shopping Center in San Leandro at 12:45 this afternoon. He was supposed to be there at noon but he was late. I had already bought my Grandma her Christmas gift. I bought Carl (my coworker) a gift also.

Chad and I had a bite to eat. I got sick on the baked potato. I went home. Chad went to the gym.

I tried taking a nap. I telephoned Chad at about 4:15PM.

Chad came over looking dashing in his black bow tie, white shirt and black velvet blazer. I changed my clothes very quickly and we were off to The City.

The San Francisco Bay Cruise Party was pretty fun. The food was good. Chad seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself.
Karyn Kossoff said, “Michael, I have a question but I want to make sure you won’t be offended if I ask.”
I knew this was coming.
“No, its okay, Karyn…just ask me.”
“Are you and Chad more than roommates?”
I denied it.
Now that I think on it I am sort of offended.

Ron Shelly tried to persuade Chad to do a line of COKE.
Ron said to Chad, “I hope to see you Friday night for Karyn’s farewell.”
I may or may not go to Karyn’s farewell. Drinks are expensive. Funds are slim this time of year.

The fist-clencher event on the boat came when Chad slapped my face! I kiddingly made a remark to Carmen about her slip.
Carmen said, “My slip doesn’t match my dress.”
I said something like this: “Let me see…or just go up the stairs to the upper deck and I’ll try to look under.”
Maybe it’s Chad’s gentleman nature or his religious upbringing but he sure as hell knew I was kidding around. It was a party and I didn’t mean any harm. Besides that I was sure she’s heard worse lines. Regardless, Chad’s slap was uncalled for. Of course, Dale Orlando had to be the person to notice.
Dale blurted, “Good slap, Chad!”
The big slob!

The rest of the cruise was okay. I danced with Karyn Kossoff, Margaret Lai, Michelle Fall’s sister (Stacey), and Elizabeth Center. That was about it. I didn’t win a door prize either.

At first I thought Chad seemed to envy the relationship of Ryan and Joe. Surprisingly, I saw Chad give them a dirty look while in the bathroom. One of those ‘Ugh, you’re fags’ looks.

After the cruise Mary, Brenda, Carmen, Mary’s brother, Chad and I went to SILOHETTES. It was an okay after party (nice and brief). We all had a good time.

Chad and I went home and we reconciled our differences regarding ‘The Slap’ during the drive. I’d almost forgotten but it bummed me out to think of it—as it still does.
I told Chad once before, “If you ever hit me that would move me in the wrong way.”
I’d say ‘The Slap’ constitutes as a hit.


One thought and one thought alone was in his mind.
-Shyam Selvadurai
"Cinnamon Gardens", a novel