Four years ago in a dump called Hays two guys met in an art gallery. One a great artist; the other mediocre at best (guess who that one is!). What started was a fairly awkward friendship, but a good one at that. His name was Eric and mine was Bartholomew (at least I think it was; my memory is a bit fuzzy). He was the first new person I met in Hays (which is kind of funny considering stuff I might not talk about) and we didn't known each other for but an hour, but it was enough to decide we were bored and should go see a movie. Unfortunately, said movie was Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (an utterly atrocious film which I would have never liked to have seen, but for the sake of friendship; I'll do nearly anything.)
Of course our hanging out ended there and I found Christian Challenge (Which friendship was about the only thing I got out of that!), but we still had art classes together and always chit-chatted in the hallways. He's a good guy. One of the people I deeply care about, but oh for shame. The one thing I never did, which I should have, was tell him about my past. He only ever knew me as the christian guy he could stomach being around. You see Eric, I've mentioned before, plays for the "Royals" and nearly everyone in existence, with the exception of Eric and some others, knows that I used to play for them too (looks like I'm talking about the stuff I said I might not talk about). That was until I was traded over to the Texas Rangers and took my position as batboy (me once again belittling myself!) thereby being set straight (over the course of 3 1/2 years) by the team's owner (Jesus).
So, I've come face to face with what could be the greatest shame of my life; practically lying to Eric for 4 years by never once saying a thing remotely close to what was just written in the paragraph prior. However, last night, as I was wandering through Hastings trying to find a movie which obviously wasn't there, Eric popped up beside me. He suggested that I go see a movie with him and Alyssa (no real point in the story, but names are better than saying "some girl"). It was weird. We started out time in Hays seeing a movie and then ended it the same way.
But conversation revealed that he is moving to Kansas City and working at Wal-Mart. The Wal-Mart where the wife of my life long friend John Cole works. Coincidence? Surely not since I stopped believing in those 4 years ago.
We'll meet again.
Clay
(My apologies Mr. Dent for the length)
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4 comments:
are forgiven for length.
only because of the clever insertion of the baseball analogy.
Oh Eric. He is doing what most do and that is moving on to bigger and better places. :\
I can only assume we are talking about the same Eric who graduated from local college with a degree in Fun (aka Art).
is his name really Eric?
Anything I can do for a friend Mr. Dent.
The same Eric.
Indeed, though some not great.
Yes, Eric is his real name, but mine wasn't Bartholomew.
Luv,
Clay
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