Shadow Cliffs

Sometimes we see someone we like very much, even if we don't know why.-Thich Nhat Hanh
"Being Peace"

Twenty-five years ago today:

May 26, 1986
Monday

I woke up with Sue Croce in my bed this morning. She really is nice…but I don’t know.

It was embarrassing this morning. Mom called me and left a message on my answering machine. Thinking I wasn’t home she chose to come by to help clean-up after the party. Mom saw Sue and what else could I do at that embarrassing moment but introduce her. I know both mom and Sue were a bit uneasy but we managed. Sue and I had already cleaned up a lot of the mess. Mom took care of the food.

Sue and I went for to the store for some Ziploc storage bags. When we returned Helen and Tony came over to raid the leftovers. I left them there while Sue and I left the scene to visit Mark.

We had made spontaneous plans to go to Shadow Cliffs in the Livermore-Pleasanton area. I persuaded Sue and Mark into going. Mark actually called Chad, suggesting he accompany us, too. Yikes!
Mark had previously mentioned, “Chad is a bit of a mystery man.”
Mark always calls him Mark while Sue and I refer to him as Chad. Mark knew him when he used the named Chad in his younger years.

I drove Sue to her house in Fremont so that she could freshen-up and change clothes. Then we drove to Shadow Cliffs. It was hot and there were lots of people at this Regional Park. It was neat how I maneuvered my way through and cut a lot of people off. We had beer and we found Julie, Colleen and her friends. We did lie out beside them. I brought some of my leftover snacks. It was nice.


Soon we were tired as the end of the day approached. I drove Mark home (San Lorenzo) and then I drove Sue home (Fremont).


I drove directly to mom’s house and we talked about the party and the people. It really was a success despite those who did not show up. I can never rely on those people…now, for sure.


I took a nap, of course. I telephoned Mark when I woke up.
I said, “Listen, I’ll call you on Thursday night to discuss the possibility of you coming to Palm Springs for the weekend.”
He laughed.
I recalled during the party last night that Mike Miller had said, “I may drive down to Palm Springs tomorrow, too.”

He whispered to himself: "What I was, isn't what I am.
And what I am, isn't yet what I can be."
-John Katzenback
"The Analyst"