Lately it has come to my attention that while my memory for certain things is horribly offensive, I seem to have a keen knack for remembering the tiniest of minutia in detail about a moment in time. I'm here to share. A qucik aside, Do you suppose this could feed material for my Someday Book, to be known, at least in fun, as "
I May be Late, but I Can Write a Book on Time." Hmmm.....
Minutia 1: She fed me tuna and wheat thins.
Paul's Mom was a warm caring woman. She fixed us some plain tuna with helmann's "salad dressing". While I am a fan of onion, or chives, garlic and anything else in my tina, this was PERFECT. I have remembered it very clearly, that entire day, which seems to have been Saturday August 13, 1988. check your calendar. If there is not an Aug. 13 on a Saturday, then my class on Aug 11 was in fact not on Thursday. This gives doubt to the entire question of whether I truly can remember all the detail. But let's not get hung up in what I do NOT recall, but take flight and enjoy a smile of what I do recall. :-)
Minutia 2: Colgate toothpaste.
I visited that cabin like bathroom, all natural wood, with a stand up shower and brushed my teeth with their Colgate. I suppose i recall it because I bought Colgate for 2 years after that. Obsess much?
Minutia 3: August 11, 1988.
It was the night after our final class - Interpersonal Comunications at UMO in Portland, Maine. (What with the dates and all, you just might regonize yourself. As such, do
write, you are most welcome!
Minutia 4: The Grand Entrance:
I learned what it feels like to get hit by cupid that night. It has only happened once since. KAPOW! The most wonderful feeling of amazement and recognition hit me, right in the chest. No it wasn't a heart attack :-). The condo in Back Cove was packed with people - my classmates and teacher from the class, some sisters and brothers of our host, Owen. His sister, Duckie, from Hollywood Florida was petite, thin, with tanned olive skin. She had flowing tresses of curly sunlightened brown hair, much like that of Whitney Houston in one of her videos. (Only I credit Ducky to have natural hair, not extentions.) I asked why she was called ducky - basically it was a pet family name. She was not the only one to have one. Either Paul or Owen had one too. Owen I think..trying to recall...Ill get back to it when I recall. this memory is not so much about the family, but about that Grand Entrance.
KAPPOW! He was amazing.
His face was a combination of all the people I had ever found seductively appealing, a little Spanish, a little Italian it seemed. For your reference he looked like a cross between the gentleman who played in Mambo Kinds with antonio Banderas, who's name just escapes me....and Raul Julia. this man looked much like Raul Julia with similar soft features on his latin face. Later I found out he was Jamaican and Italian cross. Nice turnout :-) anyway the feeling of seeing him was SO INTENSE that I instantly turned away to lighten the intensity, bringing the palm of my right hand to my mouth. As I relaxed and turned back to look, he was parting the crowd, working his way through right to me, where he stopped firmly. "Hello," he took my hand, and shook it I believe. We didn't take our eyes (or lips) off each other the rest of the evening. (Well except for a brief moment when younger, and handsome brother David came through with cousin Ritchie. I knew Ritchie who had visited my class. David seemed to ask me out, like whether he could be next in line. I politely let him know I was flattered, but he was too late. I had met Paulo E Stephenson.
Minutia 5: The next night (?) I Can't Help Falling in Love
by the English girls band, Rin Tin Tin(?) was playing on the radio as we lay naked (who is reading this ???) staring into each other's eyes. Elvis' Song, UB40's song, all remind me of him, that moment, and that summer in 1988 to this day. The following day, Paul and brother David picked me up in their little red car (toyota camry?) and took me to Sebago, where I attemtped once again to learn to slalom. I also learned the woes of a busy lake - wakes crossing more wakes. Waves 2 feet high :-) I was in heaven. I remember the deep waters against a rocky shore, the small dock, and the grassy bank up to the camp, which seemed to be a year round large place. Later, from Lisa Bean of all people I learned that the Stephenson's had jewels and such there. I didn't care, but I am totally curious as to how Lisa came to know Paul or Owen. Guess his maine connection was bigger than the cottage on Lake Sebago eh?
Minutia 6: that's enough Phase 1.
A bunch of unpleasant stuff happened in subsequent visits where I indirectly found out Paul wasn't as free as we wished. His last words to me were in 90-91 on Route 229 at the Radisson Inn by Lake Compounce. He first told me to make sure I KNEW that I was his Doppleganger (Doppleganger: dóp-æl-gang-er, n. A mirror image.). Then when I suggested I adopt his daughter Rebecca, he told me the words that have echoed for years since,
"You should have your own children." Be careful now, after passing the place with Dave F. and his children, being reminded to find my own, you should be aware that I will be with Pete in November..at the Radisson, at a wedding reception of two dear friends of ours. The key is PLANNING." *smile*
