I have been meaning to update my blog for months now. I just haven't gotten around to it. My junky laptop is messed up again. The hinges are broke, so it won't stay open. It's kinda funny that when I get my laptop propped open and ready to work on this story, I end up falling asleep!!
I originally posted this story on the Maxwell Fan Forum. I've been trying to expand it into a blog post. The Maxwell Fan Forum is the #1 Yahoo Group dedicated to the artist Maxwell. It's been around for 10 years, as of Monday, August 18th! It's a group of mostly ladies who have stuck by Maxwell for years, especially through these last 7 years when he hasn't provided the world with much new material. I'm relatively new to the "MaxFam," I read some interesting articles about Maxwell that are posted and reposted on the message board. The ladies also hook me up with some amazing pics and Youtube videos of his TV performances. I've gained a lot of respect for Maxwell as a performer and person through the videos and articles.
So, on to my story, I work from 12-8 pm. I get home around 9 pm due to the bus commute Sometimes I sit outside on a park bench after work. It's only 2 blocks away from my place. It's probably not advisable for me to do so, but otherwise I don't get much time to be outside. There's an older homeless black guy named Lonny who is interested in me. I used to encounter him selling/ soliciting his "Street Pulse" newspapers. He told me he admires me and wanted to have lunch or coffee with me. I didn't really feel comfortable saying hi to him. I changed my mind, partially because of the "Get to Know Ya" song, and decided to at least say hi to him.
Then a few weeks ago he sat down on the park bench to talk to me. I could tell that he had been drinking. He told me some of his problems and that he wanted a "lady friend" to help him out. I call this my "Get to Know Ya" problem. It's based on one of Maxwell's sweet songs about longing to really get to know a particular woman, rather than just casually hook up with her. Lonny may wanna get to know who I am; the problem is I don't want him to get to know me! He makes me uncomfortable when he puts me on the spot. He's a lot older than me and has problems that I can't help! I told the "MaxFam" ladies about my problem, and they pretty much confirmed what I know. Lonny isn't anyone I wanna be involved with.
Two weeks ago on a Tuesday evening, I ran into Lonny again, except he was walking & talking with a friend of mine named Justin. I was sitting on a park bench about 2 blocks from home reading a book. (It was an intriguing ghost novel called "Heart Shaped Box.") Lonny said something like "Hello there, young lady." and Justin said "Hey, it's Rhonda." I lifted my head outta my book when I heard my name.
Lonny described to Justin how he had been telling me he admires me and is interested in me, but I told him to leave me alone on the bus. (On the particular night I mentioned, he got on the bus after me and started to get up to follow me off the bus when it was my stop. I looked at him and said "Do not follow me!" He didn't follow me.) I said, "Well you make me uncomfortable when you put me on the spot like that." I tried not to sound too angry when I said it because I didn't want Justin to see me angry.
Lonny asked me if I wanted to share his wings with him and pointed to his take out bag. I said no because I'd already had dinner. I hope I effectively communicated to Lonny that he makes me feel uncomfortable. I didn't get angry because Justin was around. I asked Lonny for a copy of his "Street Pulse" newspaper in which he had written an article because it contained the obituary of a different street person named John. I talked to John pretty often. He was a nice guy. I miss him. Lonny said he would get it for me. I don't really want to have Lonny owing me something because I don't wanna associate with Lonny.
Eventually Lonny left and Justin stuck around to talk. We talked about a couple trips he went on and some other stuff about our faith. Justin remembered that John went to mass at Holy Redeemer almost every day. I really like Justin. He's a nice guy. He's smart and kinda handsome. He loves God and his faith. When I told Justin that I sit outside on State St. some evenings, he looked kind of concerned. I think he was concerned for my safety. He walked me home, even though it was about 2 blocks.
Justin is on summer break from Catholic seminary. I really admire the fact that he's going to become a priest. He must have so much to study! I kinda think I love him!! It's idealism, though cuz I don't have real romantic feelings for him. I try to pray for him and his fellow seminarians. Maybe that’s why I think I love him. I have the Christian love for him that God puts in my heart. If he does become a Catholic priest, he can't be married. Justin will be married to Jesus & His church. Put it this way, I wanna marry someone like Justin!
