The Coolest Guy I Knew
When I was six years old or so, my best friend's name was David. We had been in school together and we had numerous "playdates" (back before they were called playdates). When we were at my house - we played in the woods that surrounded my parent's house. When we were at his house - we played in the streets and yards around his parent's house. David's mom was super-hella-mega cool: she made him capes! Red Superman capes; Black Batman capes; all kinds of capes. We ran around like superheroes - we never sat when we could stand; never walked when we could run; and never running when we could jump.
We had such great times at his place. But - there was another reason that his house was so cool. He had a big brother - Brian. Brian introduced me to two things that have been with me since I was six: rock-and-roll music and comicbooks. And - at this point in time - rock music meant KISS. I remember thinking how cool KISS was -- I'm pretty sure that the mini-posters from Alive were on his wall - and the sounds "screaming" out of his low-fi turntable. Along with those sounds - he let us read his old Legion of the Superheroes comics.
I can still remember the way they smelled; the way their paper turned in my hands; the joy-ride the stories took me on - even though I could not read at the time. It's a good memory.
I was at my mom and dad's over Labor Day weekend. When -- David's name came up. He's some kind of genius, electronic engineer or something. He runs triathlons now - and does pretty well for a 40 year old guy. Then, I said something to Lyn (my wife - who had never heard of either one of these guys) about the capes and the comicbooks (KISS is still kind of a sore subject in that house). And I said something about Brian being the coolest kid I ever knew. Then - she told me - Brian was maybe too cool and overdosed on drugs in August.
I sat there. I hadn't seen either of them in 20+ years -- I found myself numb. Memories of joy, mixed with this kind of crap. I felt for my old friend who had lost his brother. But apparently - he had lost him years ago. In my mind, Brian is immortal -- every bit as immortal as Demon-skull-boot/fire-breathing/bass-playing Gene Simmons. I've been thinking about those memories since last Saturday when I learned the news. And - I figured that you guys would understand.
I'm going to try and reconnect with David - good friends (even ones you haven't spoken to in a long time) are worth the effort. That's what this has taught me.
Peace -- Andy
We had such great times at his place. But - there was another reason that his house was so cool. He had a big brother - Brian. Brian introduced me to two things that have been with me since I was six: rock-and-roll music and comicbooks. And - at this point in time - rock music meant KISS. I remember thinking how cool KISS was -- I'm pretty sure that the mini-posters from Alive were on his wall - and the sounds "screaming" out of his low-fi turntable. Along with those sounds - he let us read his old Legion of the Superheroes comics.
I can still remember the way they smelled; the way their paper turned in my hands; the joy-ride the stories took me on - even though I could not read at the time. It's a good memory.
I was at my mom and dad's over Labor Day weekend. When -- David's name came up. He's some kind of genius, electronic engineer or something. He runs triathlons now - and does pretty well for a 40 year old guy. Then, I said something to Lyn (my wife - who had never heard of either one of these guys) about the capes and the comicbooks (KISS is still kind of a sore subject in that house). And I said something about Brian being the coolest kid I ever knew. Then - she told me - Brian was maybe too cool and overdosed on drugs in August.
I sat there. I hadn't seen either of them in 20+ years -- I found myself numb. Memories of joy, mixed with this kind of crap. I felt for my old friend who had lost his brother. But apparently - he had lost him years ago. In my mind, Brian is immortal -- every bit as immortal as Demon-skull-boot/fire-breathing/bass-playing Gene Simmons. I've been thinking about those memories since last Saturday when I learned the news. And - I figured that you guys would understand.
I'm going to try and reconnect with David - good friends (even ones you haven't spoken to in a long time) are worth the effort. That's what this has taught me.
Peace -- Andy
Labels: childhood, comicbooks, life
posted by AndyM at 12:19 AM
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