How long have you known your freinds?

[Maggot]

I have known my best friend Steve for 33 years. He's a huge guy, always has been - looks intimidating, but he's actually very sweet. We would braid our hair to look like Ted Nugent in 7^th and 8^th grade and then hit the skateboard park. He was good, I was just brave - the scars attest to my mediocrity. He and his guy friends would call me and sing to Cheap Trick Live at Budokan when he was hanging with the dudes. I used to babysit for a boy that lived 2 houses down from him on Saturdays; he'd come over and we'd all ride the bean bag chair down the stairs (til we busted it open). Steve is like my brother and hated any boys who liked me; told my mom about the older ones (mom LOVES Steve, but could have cared less). He moved away in 10^th grade and we always kept in but touch by phone, visits, letters...

We've both lived in San Francisco for over 15 years. He still doesn't usually like the guys that I see at first, but he doesn't tell my mom on me anymore and he ends up embracing them. His good friend from his late high school/drugs days (when we lived 500 miles apart) is the very coolest. He lives in SF too. The three of us have been hangin' together for over a decade and a half; eating, drinking, laughing, razzing, barbecuing, getting into trouble, and just fucking around. Love them both immeasurably. I talk/text with them a few times a week, but only get to see them once every couple of months due to work schedules and general laziness on all our parts. Always a great time when we do get together.

I consider myself blessed too, Maggot. I'm rather a loner most of the time as an adult; glad I met Steve when I was a kid - keeps me grounded and involved in the city and hanging out with people.

Great story Thanks for making me feel normal.