*I wish I could remember the rest of this story..this is a draft that I was writing a few years ago, so I figured I would post it, even though it is not even near complete, and I can't recall the details as precisely as I could have back then, so I dare not try and finish it. For what it is, though, it's funny.*
I know I have led a very interesting and action packed life thus far, peppered with a colorful cast of characters along the way. I realize that I tend to attract many adventures and lots of..."unique" people. I was once told by a friend;
"As far as crazy people go, you are like the flame and they are the moth - I have never seen anything like it, weird people just gravitate toward you!"
It's a very true statement, and honestly, I would have it no other way (as long as they aren't violent, or dangerously crazy people..which none have been to date)
So, let me get on with my point to all of this....which is that after this weekend, I don't think anyone can ever surprise or shock me again...I don't think I'll ever quite be the same. After all, this was the weekend I met Richard.
Let me elaborate; Lenny, Steve and I were invited to have dinner at an acquaintance of Lenny's. His name is Ron.
Ron is a character himself. A rather jovial fellow in his mid 40's, who it seems has had a bit of a wild past. He since has "grown up" as he puts it. He has settled down and appears to have found strength in being an avid Christian. He married a sweet little Brazilian lady named Elsa who also has the same religious zeal as himself. They reside a few towns over from us in a cute little home that is also occupied by Elsa's daughter Isabella....and the aforementioned Richard.
None of us had the slightest clue what this evening would entail. We certainly weren't warned about Richard (which I think makes it all the better actually) and went into this whole evening rather blindly.
So upon arrival at Ron's house, Lenny, Steve and I stood in the hallway of his home saying our hello's to his wife and being introduced to Isabella, Elsa's daughter - just then a rather large man emerged from another room and in a booming voice he exclaimed;
"HEY!!! I THOUGHT I HEARD A BUNCH OF PEOPLE OUT HERE...OF COURSE I HAD TO COME OUT AND SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON!"
His movements were erratic and jerky, he was wide-eyed and seemed rather pleasant. "Maybe he just has a lack of volume control" I thought at first.
He discovered that we were from Boston right off the bat and, as he hailed from Brooklyn, a friendly rivaled raucous ensued....complete with him shouting the very cliche'd "PAAHHHK THA CAAAHHHH IN HAAAAAAVID YAAAHHHHHD" at us.
He then proceeded to the living room where he sat down on the couch and cracked open a can of cheese wiz.
As we got a tour of the house he would intermittently hear random shouting from him emanating from the living room. Usually in the form of swears.
Eventually we all migrated over to the living room. Richard sat now with TWO cans of Cheese Wiz on either side of him and a sleeve of crackers. He put on the UFC fights and seemed very content. Somehow we all got engaged in a discussion
* I am adding what I remember from that night. Richard told us that had been in and out of jail for years. He was a notorious thief, as well as a tough guy..and he had been through it all and done every drug imaginable.. Apparently if he was arrested one more time he would be sentenced to life in prison.
He told us he had been heading down the wrong path until one day he saw God. Literally talked with him, interacted with him, felt him... and from then on, he was a changed man. Ron, an old friend of his, took him into his home, and he was given a new chance at living an honest life. He said he was writing a book titled; "Simply Richard". I would definitely buy it if it ever comes out. That's all I can remember....though I will never, ever forget Richard. How could I?
