Meeting up was extra tough on the snow days; the hills were always the worst, but since snow in Portland only lasts until about 10 a.m., by then we’d be up on Council Crest bombadiering down the hill with plastic sleds. Significant distance in various orbits of different cliques. A fair bit of standing around. The overly aggressive snowball fights and a lot of wishful thinking about who was there, what they were doing, whom they were with: did she see me? Did that snowball mean something more than a snowball? Slush on the back of the neck surely implies affection. We knew how to talk, but just didn’t.
From Council Crest to downtown was a long walk and we rewarded ourselves with Escape From New York Pizza and walking, briefly, around the Galleria, which we did more out of habit than in any real interest. Downtown would have no snow by afternoon and it faded further after an hour or so in the Multnomah County Library. Karen carried a load of books in a funky bag on her shoulder; I worked with more pinpoint accuracy—or laziness—just pocketing one for the ride on TriMet 51 back up the hill. I remember talking about Eric Hedford (he played drums, he was funny, he was so nice) in the flicker of grey sky and bus fluorescent. I remember talking about Joann (she was wickedly smart and sarcastic, she made art, she was so cute) amid the rumble and squeak. Sometimes we read to each other: Nabokov, Kundera, Stafford. Getting off at Ainsworth and saying goodbye—Karen left her car near the Shell—we’d hope in the dimming light for more cold, more snow, more days like these.
The Decemberists - California One/Youth and Beauty Brigade
Re-reading this post today… I take issue with the concept of "no real interest" in the Galleria… Karen and I spent soooo much time there looking at hippie earring displays, stickers & silly things at the paper store upstairs… Maybe a souvlaki at Souvlaki Stop or a warm chocolate chip cookie at Cy's cookies near the skybridge…
ReplyDeleteIt is on snowy, stay home-from school days close to Christmas that I think of her most; there was one epic snow day where we went downtown and shopped at all the usual spots. I bought a huge itchy guatemalan sweater at signature imports & somewhere along the way we each bought copies (singles) of "Do They Know It's Christmas" - each of us feeling like we'd done our part, you know? That song still chokes me up and takes me back to 1985.
The adventure ended at Roberto's Gelateria in the Galleria, and we met up with you there. You & me & Karen & Gabe and no parents looking over our shoulders. I was busy enjoying my chocolate truffle ice cream (still the best) and learning to french kiss (thank you, Gabe!) & generally having what still ranks in my mind as one of the best days of my life. I am not sure if that is tragic or touching, but it is true.
Just thought you'd like to know…
xo,
Alexis