and so it began...

one early summer afternoon...

i was waiting for a friend to finish interviewing for a job at a local downtown joint in richmond. i sat at the bar, perusing the paper. and stumbled across the things-to-do section. i scanned for ideas of what could entertain us that night. a strong possibility: the free concert series that's held each friday of the summer.

but my attention soon turned. to a guy sitting a couple of seats down.

waiting for his shift to start. he was perusing the paper too. and started talking to me. he mentioned that his band was playing that evening's show.

the possibility of my going to the concert suddenly became much stronger.

that night, my friend and i indeed headed to the show. and i was sincerely impressed. afterward, we timidly approached the band. specifically, the singer - who was also known as "the guy from the bar." we quickly had conversation and exchanged numbers.

the following week, my friend and i somehow found ourselves joining the band on the road. heading to nagshead for a show. and a free place to stay.

an incredibly random night ensued. we took shots of everything under the sun. sat on the beach. passed a single bottle of mad dog. had a recently released convict join the circle. gave him a 12 pack as a parting gift.

talked all night.
puppy piled on the beach.
and slept as the sun peaked over the horizon.

i essentially didn't see the singer - or anyone else from that night - after that one great summer.

until another summer. six years later.

a sunny sunday afternoon. i took a serendipitous walk uptown. and literally ran into the singer. someone i'd often wondered about. and quietly wished well.

there he was.

we scratched our heads. and briefly explained how we each had managed to wind up in new york. let alone on this particular block. we exchanged contacts. and parted ways.

until another year later.

we had drinks. and laughed about our summer of so many years ago. eventually revealing - confessing - that we'd each been attracted to the other. and never known. laughing hardest that my friend from that summer had done such a remarkable job as a cockblocker.

he and i managed to catch up a few more times. a concert here. a drink there. usually in 4 month intervals. eventually leading us...

to another summer. eight years after our initial meeting.

i was moving. i was in a bind.
he had a car. he was a gem.

i promised him a drink.
he promised to take me up on it.

i haven't yet fulfilled my promise.
neither has he.

even though on a cold winter night. tonight.

i was doing laundry.
he was doing dinner.

i had simply popped in to grab a very delicious guaco-loco taco. and i heard my name.

i turned to see my dear friend. happily reminded of our sporadic and fated friendship.

he remarked, "i never run into anyone in this city. except you."

as we briefly talked, we again promised to have that beer i owe him.

neither of us can count on that.

but i can almost certainly count on seeing him again.