Part 1: Downward Spiral
Part 2: The Misery of Isolation
When Francis first started, he was asked where he was from.
"I was born in New York City, but I lived Brooklyn before I came here."
I asked, "Why the hell did you move up here?"
"To start a family."
In December, he put the office on notice that his first son would be born soon, and may have to leave at any moment. There were a few false alarms.
Joesph was finally born on December 23rd. There was much rejoicing.
Time passed, and Fran and I became better friends. The guys and I were working more on the Thunderstruck book, coming up with more ideas. At the beginning of March, I confided to Francis while he ate lunch (a baked potato, as an Irishman should).
"I need to get back to the city. This book we're working on seems like it will get off the ground. Plus, rural living is driving me insane."
The timing on this was impeccable.
"Well Jeff, I'm going down to Brooklyn in a week to visit my former landlady. She rents out rooms in her 4-story brownstone in Park Slope to Pratt students for $400/month, and I think she has a room available. Her name's Jan; give her a call and find out if it's okay for you to come down with me. I'll talk to her, too; she's like a mother to me."
The following Friday night, I went home with Francis. I got to find out just how like the Addams Family they are. And I got to play with the dogs; Jack, the gay, horny, black lab, and Riley, the sad, smaller of the two. His wife Mickey, and their son were down in Jersey visiting her parents, and would meet us in Brooklyn for the ride back up. I spent the night in the guest room, which is usually reserved for his nieces & nephews. Evidence: Mickey Mouse bedding.
We got up around 8 AM and drove down. It was the smoothest ride I'd ever had to the city. It was usually spent with my dad, who hated the drive. We'd always get lost at some point, and neither of us would have much to say. Francis on the other hand, had made the trip many, MANY times before hand. Since he's basically an older, more exuberant version of me, we had plenty to talk about; specifically comics.
Upon our arrival in Brooklyn, I was greeted by Jan, her dog Subway, and her five cats. While Francis got to work on some repairs, Jan interviewed me. Unbeknownst at the time, I was also being tested. Subway had sat in front of me, and the petting began. A few minutes later, she looked over at Jan and said, "He's good; he can stay." Jan commented, "She likes you. You're very gentle with her." My absolute adoration of doggies was then discussed.
That was really all that needed to be said. Later on, we went up to the fourth floor and took a look at the room. Despite the sickly green walls, it was perfect. Large, two windows, deep closet, a wall of book shelves.
"Do you want it?"
"Yes, please!"
Because of Francis' good word, she waived the deposit. I handed her a month's rent and said, "I'll be back in two weeks!"
A while later, I got to meet Mickey & Joe. Mickey's got the mouth of a sailor, and a hilarious one at that. She's sharp and crass; it's easy to see why so many people like her. She's the one who's obsessed with Nightmare before Christmas and doesn't care much for girly stuff. They were married on Halloween, and their song is Glenn Miller's In the Mood. They absolutely love swing dancing.
Francis warned me, "when you put in your two-weeks notice, don't let anyone know that I had anything to do with it." He was worried, and rightly so, about any repercussions for being responsible for my leaving the company.
I floated on the way home. The prospects of LIFE beginning made me ecstatic. Many phone calls were placed on Sunday.
Two weeks later, I was on a train bound for NYC. (Cue Dave Brubeck Quartet's Blue Rondo a la Turk.) Penn Station was crowded as usual that night. Carlos and his new girlfriend Tara were supposed to meet me. Tara and I hadn't met yet, but she found me first. This being the first time I'd met any of Carlos' GFs, I knew there was something special here. They helped me with my luggage and escorted me to Brooklyn so they could check out the place. When we got there, I couldn't unlock the door; I'd suddenly become retarded. I called Jan, and she came up to open it.
After sitting down for a few minutes, we went wandering for a restaurant, but we went in the absolute wrong direction and couldn't find a place. We walked to a subway station, and they went home. I got groceries, climbed the steps and laid down with a sense of relief.
"Well, I'm back."
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