We were asked to write each other by a mutual friend, Pam, who still lives in Tucson. Stephanie was recently divorced and I was single. We all lived together in Tucson (although Stephanie lived next door with her boyfriend, Gary, from Indiana) and Pam lived with me, her boyfriend and a few other GIs. I eventually went to Oakland and they all stayed in Tucson. Stephanie finally got married and her first born, Alexis (March 27, 1977) came soon after. Her second, Elizabeth, was born on March 12, 1982. Her birthday is March 15, 1953 and mine is October 14, 1953. Kismet? You decide.
When we started to write, I, at least, didn’t think this would be more than that – pen pals. I couldn’t see myself moving back into the cold after living in the sun for more than 20 years. Uprooting my life didn’t seem to be in my plans either. I had my family, friends and career here in CA.
After writing for about a year, I decided to take a 3 week vacation and go visit her. I arrived Friday night, July 2, 1993. We kissed for the first time as soon as we met at the airport and I’d swear the world just disappeared. Later Stephanie told me that it was the same for her. Gee, I wonder what that could mean?
I then met her kids, longer than the 30 seconds we met the first time 5 years earlier. It sure seemed to go well, even during the rest of the visit. I liked her family too and I think they liked me. One funny incident happened that first weekend. We were at her folks lake house. Stephanie was downstairs taking a shower and I was upstairs right above her in the kitchen. The walls were pretty thin. Her mother was cooking and I was probably more watching than doing helping and she asked me So. Ever been in prison? Stephanie heard this and beat on the walls, I guess she wasn’t too happy. I replied back You mean in this state? We all had a good laugh and it was mentioned from time to time over the years.
I first met Stephanie in Tucson around 1973. I lived at http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=4650+East+Montecito+Street,+Tucson,+AZ&aq=0&sll=39.950873,-86.261937&sspn=0.122646,0.307274&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=4650+E+Montecito+St,+Tucson,+Arizona+85711&z=16 along with Mark, his girlfriend Pam and 2 or 3 other AF buddies. She moved in with her boyfriend, Gary, from Indianapolis and either already had them or shortly thereafter got 2 dogs named Abdul and Zapper. We all had a blast partying around our shared pool. We would even jump off the roof into the pool. One time I jumped from the roof and the path there was via the carport. I went through its roof (and it had shingles) with my one leg going through and the other getting bent up to the knee. Undaunted, I continued to the roof and jumped off into the pool. Not smart as the chlorine was pretty painful to the newly exposed skin. I showered myself off and didn’t go in the water again for a few days.
When I got out of the service in June, 1974, I stayed there about 4 months more, working as a night janitor at several post offices, before buying a car from a friend, Gary Vissering, for $75. I had about $100 and a dog named Blue. I headed towards the East coast, not really sure what I was going to do when I got there. Not much of a plan to be sure but I was an idealistic 20-year old. I was looking forward to the unknown and felt I could handle anything that came along. I even fixed the car in South Carolina using duct tape!
When I returned to Tucson in the beginning of ‘75 I had a few dollars but crashing at Mark/Pam’s mobile home with Blue cramped everyone’s style. When I ran out of money after a few days selling plasma and blood worked for a while but eventually I landed a job as an exterminator. I moved into a small house with her sister Brenda and daughter Melanie (6?) but we were just friends.
Six months later I moved to Oakland as I had a job offer (hah!) from my brother David.
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