I finally got to Statesboro two weeks after first planned. Things all happen for a reason, even if we don't know why. That's been my big lesson for February.
Joey and I had originally planned for this trip before all hell broke loose for the both of us. We both agree this month has been a wash, for the most part, but we're doing our bests to survive. We left Savannah at 8; we got to Statesboro by 9:15. We first went to the Georgia Southern housing department to do what we originally planned to do: get some information on how the housing department maintains key inventory. That's what Joey's Senior Project is about, and he's the group member that is to collect information on the local colleges. Georgia Southern is considered a local college. Once we got as far as we could at the housing department, he took a small little tour of Statesboro. Most of his fond memories of his late sweetheart are in Statesboro, which is where they spent most of their relationship. I rode with him, taking photos of various spots that meant something to him all those years ago. While the things sure don't look the same as they then, the pictures still give him a vision of their relationship. He told me about things, and I listened. He wished we had some more time to just tour the city, but we didn't. However, I think the trip did him some good. It hurts that his sweetheart is gone, but she was alive yesterday as he spoke about her. When he smiled, she was there.
When we got back to Savannah, we went to work on collecting more information for the project. Joey had to go into work for an hour, so he took me along. I spent that time making calls for him for the project, claiming I was his partner for the project. I was able to get him a 4 PM appointment at SCAD. SCAD's been very helpful with his project research. We went down there and collected much needed information that Joey can use to write at least 2 pages for the Senior Project report. I made Joey laugh when I called the gentleman at SCAD on our way there and told him we were running late. I referred to Joey as my partner, Mr. LastName in the call. He said he hadn't heard that in years and made him feel old. I told him I was just being respectful to him with a guy he never met before.
After SCAD, we spent about an hour downtown walking from the SCAD housing department and City Market. We took a few photos while out. And as we walked, another memory of Joey's sweetheart came back to him. He smiled as he told me about the memory. After he finished telling me about it, he just smiled and said he was happy that memory came back to him. I know he could see her as he told me it. I know the grief is a lot to handle, but the talking and the memories help ease it. At least for me. Just the night before, while hanging out with him, I just started laughing for what seemed to be no reason. I wasn't laughing for no reason. I was laughing because Joey said something that made me think of a term my mother used. The term, used like my mother used it, is sick yet funny. It was a little happy memory for me. And in a way, my mother was back with me. Joey just had the same happen to him yesterday.
Joey and I also seemed to have a little theme going on yesterday: Double Entendres. It started last week with a sign at Loco's that said "Get Your Woody Serviced Here." It snowballed with lunch at Sticky Fingers and capped off with dinner at Johnny Harris. I also said one yesterday that I didn't catch until it was too late. Dinner was spent with the rest of Joey's family. I spent most of the evening speaking to his Aunt. His Aunt's been interested in me. The other day, she asked me about my mother and my family. She was not happy I left Joey's home at 1 AM the other night and told me so. It's the mother in her and my mother would have done the same. And on the way home last night, she told me she wants me to see her new granddaughter. She had shown my pictures of the baby the night before. I think Joey's family has appreciated my friendship with him.
[♪ Listening to: "You're the Only Woman" - Ambrosia]
Posted by Shawn at March 1, 2008 9:31 AM in Flickr Photos, General.
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