Sound Guy

It was in 8th grade where I sat in the back of an English class, quiet and shy, didn't know I was there unless I peeped - when a tall, lanky, skater-boy with big, brown innocent eyes walked in - the "new boy" and I had an instant crush. Through the year, I stole glances at him as he grew to know our classmates and mingled with the "popular" crowd. What a great crush...but he didn't come back to join us in high school. Forgot, played tennis, had other crushes, etc.

Went to college, UC Santa Barbara and was picked to work in the Music Library only because I played the flute for a stint in junior high. Worked at the counter, tried to answer questions, played classical music for the students - in comes a tall, lanky music composer student, heavily bearded and hardly recognizable or noticeable on a regular basis. One day it clicked - it was him! No way! Unlike the shy 8th grader, I marched up and asked him if he was voted "best dressed" back in HH. He looked down at what he was currently wearing and playfully denied it. A friendship began.

We kept in touch over the years, both made it up to the Bay Area after some years, hung out on occasion. Grew into something else and were together off...and on...and off and on for something like 3 years, loved hearing him articulate his passion for music, sound and the business of it. Then one day, he was gone. Gone. I could only speculate, hurt, wondering, comes and goes. I know he can find me if he wants to, but it didn't end well so I'm not waiting. I know he's ok because he's a natural survivor. I just hope he's happy...wherever he is. Missing his gentle spirit.