Harmless

"You must be all eyes, all attention, for it may be that such a chance of learning will never come your way again."
-Honroe de Balzac
"The Unknown Masterpiece"

Twenty-five years ago today

May 17, 1986
Saturday

Ric made Steve and I breakfast. The ‘Richard’ that followed us last night had left before we woke up (such is life). I bet he freaked-out when he saw Ric’s hidden fat and hairy back…or whatever.

I stayed there at the house in Hayward for a while. Then it was time to venture out; whereby, I went to my mom and dad’s house for a while. I called Mark Landreth while I was there but there was no answer. I tried again later and his line was busy. I learned he was calling me at the time!

I ended up making a deal for Mark to come over to my place in Alameda at five or six o’clock.
I suggested, “We could jog in preparation for the Bay-To-Breakers.”
Mark replied pleasantly, “Okay.”

I washed my car. Mom accompanied me to buy some alcohol and other goods for my Birthday Party next Sunday. I’m getting kind of excited about it. Mom and I bought four garbage cans at PAYLESS too.

I went bicycling by 2:30PM. I relaxed and did a lay out under the sun rays at South Shore Beach until 3:30PM. I was supposed to meet Bonni Jayne but she pulled a ‘no show’. So I just left the beach scene.

I returned to mom’s house and then back to my pad where I learned that Dad had repaired my screen door.

I spent some time playing in the Islandia Homes Courtyard with my niece, Ashley. It’s cute when she calls me “Uncle”. I gave her a balloon and it excited her. My ‘Rupert the Clown’ excited her, too. I could tell she remembered him.

I waited for Mark to arrive. I was expecting him at 6:30PM but he came at 7:40PM. While I was waiting Cedric Green called to invite me over for a video.
“Thanks Cedric—but I’m just too tired.”
Yes, I gave him another flimsy excuse. 

Mark and I drove to South Shore and then jogged along the beach all the way through to Webster Street. We did pretty well. We actually met three girls from San Lorenzo High School who pulled over.
They asked, “Can we feel your muscles?”
I said to Mark, “Give me a break…they’re always so brave when they’re in a car and can drive off.”
Then I asked the girls, “My muscles?”
I knew my muscles weren’t as conspicuous as Mark’s.
Mark started to get into the flirting routine, too. I asked them to come to my house to see a movie.
“Have you ever seen THIEF OF HEARTS?” I asked.
“No,” one of them said. They seemed to realize we were harmless so the three girls actually did come to my house. It was a bit “uncomfy” during the explicit love scenes but we managed okay. They left by 11PM.
I asked Mark, “Why don’t you just stay the night?”
“Ah…well I want to get some running gear in the morning and…”
“Okay, if you feel awake enough.”
Mark left. I went to bed.

So little time, when so many morsels remain to be tasted...
-Joanne Harris
"CHOCOLAT"