Certainly Took Ya Long Enough

Now, before I continue about Randy and I, a wee bit of backtracking is necessary. Before the two of us went up to Oregon, we joined a tanning salon in West Hollywood to get some color. Randy did, I didn't (check out the Xmas photo from previous entry). But I did become friends with the owner (Steven) as he was from Mississippi and we both had the Southern accent and upbringing so it was almost fate. And during our separation, I needed some place to hang out between jobs. So anyway, after the parental units left, I began working on the refurbishing of the Tanning Salon to an Egyptian Tomb look with faux finished walls, framed parchments and other accessories to make it fit more with it's name Aten Plus - Aton was the Egyptian Sun God, NOT a TEN Plus as some called it. (But only once.) So anyway.....

I come bouncing into the salon one late August morning and Steven, who was out front having a cigarette said to me as I was opening the door, "Guess who came in and put in an application?" and without skipping a beat, I replied back "Randy." After I guess getting over the shock of my hitting the nail right on the head "I won't hire him if you'll be uncomfortable." (Are you kidding?) "Nah, this way I'll be able to keep a closer eye on him. Just send him out after his interview is finished."

So a couple of days later I was out back in the parking garage area of the salon sponging tones of brown paint onto styrofoam insulation squares (to represent stone walls). Being a Jackson Pollock kinda guy to get the effect, I was covered head to taupe when the back door opens and out steps Randy - all dressed up (in his favorite green shirt and jeans). He looks a little thinner, but just as handsome as the day we met.

It was awkward at first... I mean, what do you say to someone you haven't spoken with in almost seven months? Aside from "Hello", the only thing I truly remember from that conversation was at some point Randy saying to me that during discussions with his therapist (what?) that he'd come to one conclusion (direct quote):

"that I've been in love with only two people in my life, and you're one of them."

BIG HUG - and then everything else is a blur. Can you blame me though?

Having someone tell you that they are IN love with you, (a huge difference than they "love" you) is one of the scariest damn things you can hear - unless you feel exactly the same way towards them, then your heart jumps up and down inside doing the "happyhappyjoyjoy" dance.

So guess where I stayed that night? (I'll give you a hint, it wasn't at home.)