This is the next installment. Part 4: It turned out that while I was staying at Dougs,I discovered a veritable shrine of photos. They were of Diane.A detective would have thought he stumbled into the lair of a stalker. I started to get that sick feeling that Diane was the girl that broke his heart. Just wonderful! Why didn't anyone tell me? Then the conversation with Kurt and other pieces started to fall into place. I picked Diane up at the airport and explained my prior relationship with Doug. She responded angrily "You were staying at his house? What's wrong with you?" I spread my hands and quickly said " Me? I didn't know it was you that broke his heart.Why didn't you tell me you were rebounding? You know he's going to think I was buddy fucking him." She squinted and started yelling in the middle of La Guardia airport " Why does this always happen to me?" This began a long tirade about her being the innocent good deed doing saint that only tries to help others. Security walked over and asked "Are you alright Maam?" She whip on them and in an insane soliloquy began telling them everything that has happened since we met. She finishes with " This is why I flew 3000 mile without underwear!" They escort us out of the terminal. She then turns her back on me and walks away. Then Diane grabs a cab alone, leaving me holding a short term parking ticket. I stand there dumbfounded trying to figure ot what had just transpired. 20 minutes later I was no closer. I went to get my bike and pay the parking, to give me some time to decide what to do next. My first thought was "I 've never been to Mexico,maybe this is a sign." My next was if for no other reason than our time together Doug deserved an answer.God I hate it when my conscience wins! So I drive onto the VanWick expresway and head to Dougs house. It's Sunday so he might still be home. I arrive and see his van there. I knock and guess who answers the door in tears. That's right little Miss Diane. Doug is drinking a beer(Meisterbrau) and waves me in. He tosses me one and we sit there and each tell our side of things,. While Doug looks at us as if " These 2 idiots deserve each other." He then says very calmly " I know we're over Diane. It took some time , but I am seeing someone else now. It's going very well and I am happy for both of you. So lighten up." We stay there and talk shop for a while and then Diane and I leave to go home. This scenario pretty much sums up what inevitably lead to disaster.You can fill in the blanks like an "Adlib" and pretty much not be wrong. That's all I have to say about our mutually painful union. The fruit of this poisenous tree did ironically bear sustinance for many others. This is what I will focus on.Out team was up and running and the little girls were on their way to success. One day I was coaching vaulting. I set up the usual drills. Running fast, practicing the hurdle to the board and the block off the horse for post flight. This one gymnast named Nicole Harvey was the daughter of bar owners. While vaulting she would run back in line as fast as possible. I am spotting about 150 feet away when I hear this hollow thud. I look up and all the girls are standing over an unconscious Nicole. I ask "What happened?" The kids turned and said "She ran into the wall." I administer basic first aid while she regains consciosness. I call the parents and ask them to meeet me at he hospital to be on the safe side. Nicole had an unusually large forehead for someone her age, probably from her mothers side. It now resemble a large flat surface with a cue ball attatched to it. She is icing it while we're on the way to the emergency room. Diane and I are waiting for her parents. All tests return favorably. The parents are relieved. Diane is talking non-stop and I approach to explain what I saw happen. Whle explaining I smile and chuckle. Mrs. Harvey takes offense and says " Oh! You think this is funny Jody?" I reply "Well, you got to admit she lived up to the name." Frowning the father glares at me saying " And what name would that be son? "I shrug my shoulders and say "Nicole can honestly say she is now a genuine Harvey Wallbanger." The father erupts in laughter slapping on the back and says" My wife was right you do have an impulse control disorder" I raise my hands and say emphatically "You do know I really care about your daughter." They both nod saying while smiling " We know Jody, we know, she thinks you walk on water. You're a very good coach. Just let others do your pr work for you." While waiting the usual decade to get released from emergency we talked and became good friends. Mr. Harvey spent the time telling me some very funny bar stories. I will save these for another time.Where does the time go? O.k. real quick That same year we were invited to Zagreb Yugoslavia to film the Nadia Comanice movie. The star was none other than the only living person to beat her, Marcia Fredricks.I was there as her coach and spotter. I also competed in an international meet while there. What I remember most were the warmth of the local people and roasted chestnuts everyday coming home from the gym. It also was my first introduction to Russian training. This trip opened my eyes to the depth of athletic talent that the world really has.Mr. Bojangles will have to wait until... Wait for it.... That's right part 5!!!!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment