ROBIEWANKENOBIE

"john"

when he was in high school? darn near a pariah. he hadn't grown into himself AT ALL. too geeky for the geeks...that's how bad it was. in all fairness, my school was one that prided itself on creating outcasts. with only thirty people per grade, there were only so many options, and not a whole lot of room for a specialized niche that would include this guy. i really don't know how he made it through.

in college? in college he worked at a local restaurant with me. when you say his name, i instantly flash back to a visual of him flying through town on his bicycle – in his uniform – white jacket blowing through the air. theLeon became friends with him at some point, and they've stayed in touch over the years.

our van made the most disturbing sound today. luckily, it began just as we hit town. theLeon worked on the serpentine belt and somesuch, but it needs a real looksee from a mechanic, rather than from a very talented electrician. so. it was to stay in berea, while we returned home.

my father would have driven us home. it would have taken two trips what with kids in carseats and adults and such. or, as my mom suggested, i could hold one kid on my lap. *ahem* then john comes to save the day.

he arrives in his "hoopty" van. i hardly recognize him. he's gone prematurely grey, but gave it a blue tint, for shitz and giggles.

he's the only one who can work the door, he explains, or it will fall off. he gives his ironic opinions on which mechanic to use ("yeah, that one's good, but the other one is cheaper, and, hell, they'll do your house gutters, too!"). he talks about the mural he's creating in his kids rooms as he tries to give them the childhood that he never had, but always wanted. he spoke zombie geek to the husband on the way home, and is the only person i know who could charm radar at first sight.

john may not have grown into himself in high school, but he has now. he is utterly charming. even, or maybe especially with, his hoopty van.