That's him on the left side and that me, lower right hand side. Group of people pictured was the yearbook committee.
This post is about my Junior High School classmates.
Jose Perez, he started it all. When I came home from the Army to Parkchester in The Bronx back in December 1982, I had a friend who I grew up with, was living in Parkchester. That following Summer we were in The West playing basketball. After my side lost, I went from the courts to the benches to just sit and relax. People walking by and one of them was Jose Perez. I was shocked just as much as he was. We talked for a while, and he went about his business.
Throught the years from 1983, I never seen any of my classmates. Out while 7th grade class went to the 8th and then the 9th all together. I can't remember how many were in the class, but we were back then sort of like a family. My first girlfriend, Carolyn W.. And she was also the first girl to break up with me. Many years ago, back in 2001, I was living in Westchester County, My Vernon. I had to catch the number 2 train to get to work. One day, I had a newspaper and it fell on the floor of the train. As I bend down to pick it up, and person reach down also. I looked at her and she asked was my name Michael Chappell. I said yes. She asked did I remember her, and that I was her first boyfriend. She was beautiful and all I said was Carolyn? She was about to cry and she said yes and all I could say was wow. We talked during the ride downtown, she went her way and I went miles with exchanging numbers with her. Then a couple of days later the World Trade Towers fell. I remembered her telling me she worked in one of them. My heart broke. I searched for her on all ksut I could come across of those who lost their lives. I didn't see her name on any of them. About 3 years later. I searched Facebook and found her alive and well in Atlanta. I was so damn happy.
Today..Jose Perez had set up a Zoom meeting with all the people who could find. There were only about 6 or 7 of us in the meeting. Only one person I didn't remember, but she remembers me. Brought up things that I didn't remember but ine main thing she remembered is what High School I went to when we graduated. She said when our teacher announced that I was accepted in Art and Design High School, I was sort of a Star. I took an art test to get into the school, along with some of my pictures I drew. I didn't think I would make it into the school compared to some of the art work I seen on the walls and in showcases in the school. But those who judged my art work and my drawing during the test saw something I didn't. Though I dropped out in my 11th year towards the end of the school year.. I took the GED test while stationed in Germany and my school gave me a diploma with their name on it. So, I am a graduate of Art and Design High School.
With just a little of us in this Zoom meeting, I had to log out. I had a female guest over. I didn't tell anyone in the meeting, I just disconnected. I'll explain to Jose later on today.
About 2 hours before the meeting Jose had called me. We talked for about 45 minutes. I really enjoyed the talk. If felt great talking to a classmate for such a long time ago. It felt great actually talking to some one whom I spent 3 years in educational studies with. I don't know how to explain it... It was like I was talking to another me. The thought process of Jose reminded me of me. But one thing happened he said, and it brought me to the present.
He said another classmate he =aches out to about 10nyewrs ago. They went out to dinner thebfloowing day. During dinner they caught up with what each has been thru and what they were going thru or sent day. The next day Jose called him and the guy didn't pick up. He tried a whole week and left messages but the guy never called back. Jose said said you know what, that's on him, I'm not reaching out no more, forget about him. I let Jose talk, which seemed like to me he was angry and he held all that in for 10 years. I cut him off while he was talking and said.. Don't you think that he might have been going thru something. Something like during your dinner talk, secretly he was comparing himself to you. With what you accomplished all those years, probably made him feel like shit, because maybe he didn't accomplished anything. Jose was quite for a couple of seconds and told me that I was right. Here he thought that it was him that did something wrong, which it was in a way.. it made the other guy feel less than.
I told Jose, I don't have that problem at all. I don't compare myself to anyone else. I don't hate anyone who is far away off living a lifestyle better than mines..has a car because I do t have, it make it have made more money than I have. Jose said that his pension is 120K a year, all I can say is wow. I told him how much I get off of early Social Wvriitu withdrawal and he asked, well how do you pay rent. I told him I have a Section 8 Voucher that's for Veterans and my rent is under 200 a month, no electric bill. I'm also on SNAP and I get a food box twice a month from a shelter..the one I was in for 11 months ago until I go this apartment. I told him I was never broke, I just didn't have any money sometimes, but I always had a job.im what you called the working Poor. I told him if I had applied myself like some of our classmates have done, il probably would have been making a 6 figure salary also but... But then I would have got to see The Pirayminds like I did as a surprise. Or went to France damn near wvery weekend for 2 months like I was going to a club from The Bronx to Manhattan... Or went to Amsterdam like whenever I wanted when I didn't have to have Guard Duty over the weekend. Or.. Saw The Berlin Wall, Russian Soldiers..enjoyed London in 1978. Think about that. I was in London for a weekend which was 4 days for me back in 19 fucking seventy eight. Oh, not your tourist part of London, but The South Bronx of London. Actually talk with and to Black People that were born in London. Their accents. Accents that maybe all of my classmates never acty even heard in person JUST on TV only. I was standing in London talking to a Black.person that was born there and has a British accent. Un fucking believable. BUT.. But if I had went to college..and not have dropped out of High School...would I have had a chance to experience all that I have mentioned? I don't think so, my future would probably have went in another direction. I enjoyed the direction I went in as a HIGHSCHOOL DROPOUT!! I SAW THE WORLD. I WENT AROUND RHE WORLD AT LEAST 4 TIMES... and don't pay a penny. Imagine that shit.
I have more to say, but it's 5:11am and I have some things to do.
To be continued. (Don't know when either, so there.
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