A Night To Remember

Had a strange night at work last night. I kind of expected that I'd see Pa and I was right. He came in about 2:30 - walked to the store and he looked like shit! But we talked for a bit. I offered my condolances about Pearl and he started crying. I went ahead and locked up early (I lock up from 3am - 4am to clean and stock my coolers, etc) - and we went into the office to talk. I bought him a pack of cigs and asked him when he had last eaten. Thursday AM - so I bought him some chips and a burger and we just talked. No arguing for a change and no bullshit - just two people talking. I've known Jonathan (Pa) for over 10 years - since he was 14. We've been messing around off and on since he turned 18 - and I'd only seen him cry one other time besides last night. I asked him if he was still staying clean and he said he'd been drinking some, but that was it. If he gets in trouble again, he goes back to prison as a habitual offender and he's not taking any chances. He just wants to quit hurting. We talked for probably 45 minutes and he seemed to be feeling better when he left the store. We hugged and it was actually a good moment - which where me and Pa is concerned, are very few and far between. He promised to behave and took off. I had to rush around and do my cooler, but I managed to get everything filled up and opened back up only 5 minutes late. (Yeah - I'm good!) No customers were waiting so it's all good, right? I still had everything pretty much caught up and in good shape when the boss lady got in at 5:30.

Not much else going on. I talked to Rick earlier today for a few minutes and he stopped by for a few minutes. Just hanging out and what-not. D. came by a little while ago (on his way to work) and wants me to ride to Rockingham with him in tomorrow morning when I get off work. Sure - why not! Still no word from Jesse - oh well!

I guess that's all for today. I just wanted to relay the info about Pa. We spend so much time arguing and dealing with bullshit - it feels weird to see him just open up like he did last night. I remember now what I liked about him in the first place. We're still miles apart in our lives and I know that things will never be what I want with him - but still, I look at events like last night and just wonder, "What if...???".. Yeah - I'm a dreamer.

Oh yeah - got a phone call on the answering machine from my long-time ex, Chris. We haven't talked in a while, but I'd heard he was thinking about moving to Charlotte. Well, he did and says that he's doing well and is working at a Wal-Mart. He's doing good and just wanted to check in. That's cool. I thought I was going to end up married to this guy, but shit happened. His fault and mine too! No grudges here. I did enough of that after we broke up the last time. I'm just glad he's moving on and doing well. We managed to salvage a friendship out of the crap that was living together/ talking about marriage, etc... Good intentions, but the wrong time and person. It hurt pretty bad, but you gotta roll with the punches and move on. I think I have pretty well and I think he has too! Life isn't a fairy tale, but sometimes there is a happy ending anyhow!

Enough of all this. I have to be up in 3 hours for work - so I think that maybe I should go get a little sleep while I can. Until the next time!
-Doug