Green Room

When I went to college, good old Slippery Rock University, I didn't know anyone there except for my brother Karl. We commuted that first frosty semester (we began in January). Commuting makes it hard to get to know anyone. One good accident (thank you Karl, for the black eyes and the scar.) and I knew I had to live there in the future. I would make friends one way or another. So I got a loan and lived in the dorms for one year. Not too bad, really.

One class I took was a theatre stagecraft PITA (pain-in-the-*$$) where I met a young man I will always consider my best friend, Lane. He even lived in the same dorm, but on a lower floor. Lane was smart, charming, talented and handsome. We became friends anyway. Lane stayed only a couple years, then dropped out of college and my life. I graduated in 1986 and became a teacher. I never stopped wondering what happened to my friend.

And then along came the internet. And Facebook. We reconnected. We saw each other for the first time in decades (!) this past summer. He is still the best friend I always wanted. 

And to think we met in the green room at the theatre; this is the place where actors practice and get ready for 'the show.' That's where our freindship grew in preparation for life.

(He's not marriage material, so don't even suggest it.)