Spokane, Washington, July 12, 1991. (photo by Cynthia)
Friday, July 12, 1991
Friday, June 28, 1991
Reunited with Carol Holloway! Fittingly, the day started with an earthquake that was strong enough to wake me up, just before the alarm was set to go off. This is the start of something big! And then, at LAX, waiting to board my historic flight, I ran into Paul Braugham (of Princess Cruises), one of my favorite people. Another good omen.
And on the flight north, I told my seat-mate that I was on my way to rendezvous with a high-school sweetheart that I haven't seen in twenty-four years — and by the time the plane touched down in Spokane (after a stop in Portland), my whole section of the plane was abuzz, cheering me on as I walked down the ramp to where Carol was waiting, beaming.
And on the flight north, I told my seat-mate that I was on my way to rendezvous with a high-school sweetheart that I haven't seen in twenty-four years — and by the time the plane touched down in Spokane (after a stop in Portland), my whole section of the plane was abuzz, cheering me on as I walked down the ramp to where Carol was waiting, beaming.
Saturday, June 8, 1991
Home all day, writing. Spoke to Carol (who goes by the nickname Robin these days) for forty minutes in the evening, then Bill Jervey arrived — he and I sitting up talking until 2 A.M.
Today I've been pacing the floor, trying to comprehend the wonderful thing that's happened over the past three weeks. A month ago I was feeling so depressed — unable to drive because of my DUI, feeling sick half the time because of my ulcer (which hasn't been healing as fast as it should because I'm still drinking and smoking too much), that the prospect of anything good happening in the near future (or ever) seemed dim. And the notion of ever finding romance again seemed hopeless.
But then I phoned Carol...
And now we're in love, talking sweet talk on the phone, even though we haven't seen each other in twenty-odd years! Twenty-four years since we last saw each other, at L.A.C.C.! Twenty-seven years since we last dated, in high school!
Today I've been pacing the floor, trying to comprehend the wonderful thing that's happened over the past three weeks. A month ago I was feeling so depressed — unable to drive because of my DUI, feeling sick half the time because of my ulcer (which hasn't been healing as fast as it should because I'm still drinking and smoking too much), that the prospect of anything good happening in the near future (or ever) seemed dim. And the notion of ever finding romance again seemed hopeless.
But then I phoned Carol...
And now we're in love, talking sweet talk on the phone, even though we haven't seen each other in twenty-odd years! Twenty-four years since we last saw each other, at L.A.C.C.! Twenty-seven years since we last dated, in high school!
Saturday, May 18, 1991
Calling Carol Holloway
In the evening, I decided to take another try at finding Carol Holloway, and phoned her great-aunt. I’d done the same last year [June 28], and learned her married name ("Lyons") and that she was living in Washington. But Lyons is a common name, and Washington D.C. is a big city, so nothing came of it.
But this time her great-aunt had more to say. Carol lived in Washington state — in Spokane — not Washington D. C., and her marriage was on the rocks. Excited, I called Spokane information, got a short list of C* Lyons entries, and on trying the second one I heard her familiar voice for the first time since the 1960s.
I had half expected her to say “Kent who?”, and figured the conversation would be friendly, but neutral — but there was unmistakable warmth in her voice, and it was as if we’d talked just yesterday. We reminisced about the days when we were dating each other, and when she asked what had happened between me and Penny, I found myself confiding more openly to her than I had with many close friends. Meanwhile, she’s separated from her husband, probably for keeps, and has three young children.
This is the best thing that’s happened since I don’t know when! But she lives a thousand miles away…
But this time her great-aunt had more to say. Carol lived in Washington state — in Spokane — not Washington D. C., and her marriage was on the rocks. Excited, I called Spokane information, got a short list of C* Lyons entries, and on trying the second one I heard her familiar voice for the first time since the 1960s.
I had half expected her to say “Kent who?”, and figured the conversation would be friendly, but neutral — but there was unmistakable warmth in her voice, and it was as if we’d talked just yesterday. We reminisced about the days when we were dating each other, and when she asked what had happened between me and Penny, I found myself confiding more openly to her than I had with many close friends. Meanwhile, she’s separated from her husband, probably for keeps, and has three young children.
This is the best thing that’s happened since I don’t know when! But she lives a thousand miles away…
