You often pop into my head. I guess cause I am back where it started. I am about 5 miles from where we met. I laugh at the "me" from then, but then, maybe you laugh at the "you" from then. I think what should've been a happy-go-lucky 18 yr old at the time, was a hardened egg with a soft shell....waiting to be seen. I remember seeing you, months before we even met. I remember how you use to clown me about the parties I would go to. I remember you asking me if I hooked up with any trashy girls. Part of me wants to find those discs and read those emails. haha. I wonder if it's even possible. You also got to know a guy who was working his ass off every night to pay for school. That definitely hardened me....along with a roller coaster home life that was moving at light speed. I remember how good it felt to say good night when I was going to work and you were going to sleep. Those things, they really made me know, someone cared about me in this life. Small things you didn't even know you did...they stayed with me forever. I laugh at how bad I was in those years. I really didn't prepare for all that attention. How could I? I didn't know how I became someone that really, I was not. Many times, behind closed doors, you saw the real me. I always get memories sent to me...about those days. I remember you getting your license and driving your brand new Alero over to my house. Telling me, "you're going to be the first one I take for a drive...so be ready Mr. Malin."I never threw anything you wrote to me away. You really were just so sweet in them...you even had plans for the future.....you knew what you wanted out of life....but you had chosen the right guy at the wrong time. Part of me didn't really know that. I mean, I was 18! I know we've talked about my transgressions and I am SO happy you could joke/laugh with me about them. You were always more mature than me emotionally. For some reason, I remembered those corny Kodak disposable cameras today. I remembered, God knows why, that someone came to me while I at Penn State Main, and gave me a picture of us at one of those corny dances. I put it away and never really thought to show you. I know I still have it, but it's packed away in my storage unit. I think what got me about it, given the times, the 90's, no cell phones really. It was really the only picture we ever got taken together. It was a nice time and we actually slow danced. So American. Ha. I have a vivid image of the picture and my long ass belt and cream shirt and pants like I was some horrible rapper who was outfitted by Tommy Hilfiger. I laugh. It's crazy....college relationships...you sure do end up spending tons of time together. I mean, we even took some classes together at Delco and Main. I remember always seeing you walk home and that time when the snow was falling. Of course, the entire time, I was juggling a life of uncertainty. How was I going to afford the next semester...thank you UPS. How was my family going to be able to afford living at Main? Thank you Suburban Materials. How was I going to afford just day-to-day....thank you MBNA, or not. 24.1% was great. There are so many details about our relationship that just stayed stamped on my head. Even the bad times, I can even replay them. Little Tom! Ha. It's just so imprinted on my memory. Not to outdo other women in my life, but I guess your mind, your emotional mind, your heart, it's all so tender during those years. 17, 18, 19, 20.....you're literally just growing still....well....I guess we always growing. Y
You know what you never did to me? You never really blamed me. Part of me wishes you were harsher on me. Part of me wishes you just said, "Bob, don't you love me more than this or that?" "Bob, what about all the time we spent together? Bob, what about the plans we had? Bob, where is the guy that was crying in the doctor's office with me that day? I don't know where I got lost. I just did.
I do realize that guy back then, he was like playing a part. He was influenced by a hard life at home, a hard life at work, being angry at his spot and his family's place in life, wanting SO badly for things to be easier...just once. They never got easier. If anything, they got so hard, I became a broken glass of a million pieces. Hard for my mom, hard for my sisters, hard for many reasons....reasons I typically never discuss cause they are just too painful to replay. Ironic cause the hard times we had, I can replay them and chalk them up to "being a dumb college kid". The other hard times, well I can't. I hope somewhere in your heart, you knew that I was a good person that was growing thorns of protection during those years. Protection from being hurt, protection from pain, protection from love, protection from the one girl those years who was all in. I admire and respect you so much for that. A time when I was happy to have 5-10 bucks in my pocket. A time when free food at work was such a gift. A time when cereal was much of what I ate except for the cafe before practice. I remember that one "date night" we had at Allen Street and that gift I had made. I at least did some good things. I wish I could've done more. I was running to catch my tail and always hearing, "we don't have money for that". it would've been great if I would've stopped, asked my mom if I could've had you over for dinner. You're Italian and she's a great cook and she sure did love you and you were always so nice to her. I know she was dealing with her own things at that time and I guess the "why don't you stay for dinner?" thing didn't pop into her head. Granted she was raising 4 girls. So many things I remember about those days with you. I am thrilled to see that you met someone and are living your dream life of raising a family. I knew that was so important to you and you're a hard worker who has carved out a nice career. I saw your husband one time at the bar, but I just wasn't going to go up to him. He don't know me. I laughed thinking about seeing him and you right next to him and just that funny moment. I use the excuse, "We went to Penn State together....she was my tutor cause I was a big dummy..." And I laugh as you smile and come close to laughing. You always gave me shit for testing out of English 015. hahahahahahaha. " "You went to Academy Park.....how the hell are you that good at English that you get to skip it?" I remember just laughing at you when yous said that.
I think you live in my present mind as much as you do is because you knew what I was going through when I wasn't with you. Things I never shared. Things a young guy shouldnt see or hear or have to experience. In another life, things are normal, I dont work so much, I get to be a normal guy growing up in the suburbs who meets a great girl and....happily ever after. And maybe a little self sabotage, but at 47, I realize I was covering so much pain with so many things I shouldn't have. I should've just said, "Can we just go for a walk and talk?" Your home was a safe haven for me. Always cared about your parents. I know your bro wasn't about you dating a hood rat, but I think he got over that once we talked. idk.
It was almost 30 years ago, but the memories stuck with me. Imagine thinking something is so special when you have nothing. I guess that makes it real. You didn't need anything from me except my love and attention. Your birthday is coming up. Part of me wishes what changed me never changed me during those days. I was perfectly happy with you. I just couldn't stop time. I couldn't stop two people who were headed in different directions. I wish I did a u-turn, but it was too late.
At least we have one picture of us.