I went home this weekend. My 8am train was a bit brutal, but between the constant school work and the constant fear of not have a job soon enough, I needed the time to do nothing.
Mom picked me up from the train, which was strange; usually dad does that. She took me to Freehold and we talked on the way there. I brought home a pair of jeans that I told her were falling apart and asked if she would patch them up. She did me one better; we went out and bought 3 pairs of jeans, some shorts, and some other clothes. It was fun, just being out with her; it doesn’t happen often and I didn’t get to see her over the break when my Dad and I were out west.
I came home, and texted my old friend Zach, who I have been missing. It is so funny to see him these days. It makes me feel quite old.
I met Zach when I was in 4th grade (he was in 2nd.) I think that we met on the bus; we had both come to St. Rose of Lima school for the first time. We both didn’t know anyone. I remember sitting on the bus next to him for the first time, but I couldn’t tell you if that is exactly how it happened. I wonder if I knew then that Zach would be my oldest friend.
The stories I have with Zach are countless. This evening, Mrs. Burke told me how much of a precocious and generally mischevious young man I was. That was no secret; I was a hand full. One that is very remembered are one of the bus stop episodes. I would walk to the bus stop every day, a quick jaunt through a little trail in the woods. Zach would walk up, usually with his father and their Rotweiler Dillan. Zach has a little brother named Matt (Who is 16) and a little sister named Carly (who is 14). I’m not sure how old I was, but I do remember the key players of this story: Me, Zach, Mr. Burke, Dillan, and my pants.
Without much preamble, I’ll just tell you. The bus started coming down the street. I was leaning against a sign post. Dillan peed on my leg.
Now I was in quite a dilemma. On one hand, I could go home and my mother could drive me into work. But I was on the bus for a reason, and making my mother late would make her very angry. So I got on the bus.
After being made fun of viciously on the bus, I called my mom and told her I needed another pair of pants. She drove them into school. The Burkes love to tell this story.
I saw Zach last night and tonight. It was absolutely amazing. We went to White Castle and had an absurd amount of food. On the way out there, I realized something. Zach never really judged me, ever. He just knew me, and took me for what I am. As we were driving, I said “You know, I’ve had a lot of friends come and go, and I’ve made a lot of people angry. Lost a lot of friends. And you have always stuck by me.” He said “Yea, well, it’s just who you are. I just take it as part of…you. I don’t know.”
I wasn’t sure what to think of it, until tonight. I texted him to see what he was doing. He answered, “playing board games with the family.” I told him I was leaving early tomorrow and would hope to see him soon. He asked if I was coming up. I told him no, I didn’t want to intrude on his family time. He responded: “Its good. You’re family.” And it hit me. These people, that family, they’ve known me for so long, that theyre just family. I care about them all more than I ever realized. I’ve watched them grow old.
My life is truly blessed.
