Saturday, August 14, 2010
Meeting Paula Jackson
When the time comes to say good bye to an old friend it’s only natural to reflect back on the snap shots of your life and pick out your favorites. One of the pictures, or videos in my mind that I returned to yesterday was the first time I actually met Paula Jackson because it made me smile on a day when many cried.
Jon Cazeault, myself and Dan Walker lived together on Bridge Street in North Weymouth in those days. We spent allot of time together. For a couple of years we worked side by side during the day in the roofing business, and had fun partying almost every night.
One night, instead of partying, the three of us were watching television, when I remembered that I had bought a nice new package of Oreo cookies. In those days, my diet consisted of Mountain Dew, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Chicken Of The Sea tuna, Denley’s pizza and Oreo cookies. When I opened the kitchen cabinet I saw that the cookie package had been opened already and it appeared that some cookies were missing. “Not a big deal” I thought, “we were all friends here”. I grabbed some cookies and a Mountain Dew, and returned to the television room. “I don’t mind you guys eating my cookies” I stated, “but it would be nice if you asked first”. Being great communicators back then, Dan and Jon looked at each other confused, shrugged, and completely ignored me.
A couple of days later, I had another craving for my Oreo’s and much to my dismay, the package of cookies had been completely torn open with cookies strewn about the shelf. Someone had even taken bites out of some cookies and placed them back on the shelf. I was clearly upset. They were purposely trying to aggravate me now. As I was pacing around the kitchen eating the remnants of the Oreo’s and planning my revenge, I saw Jon pull into the driveway outside. He was with a girl who I recognized but had never officially met before. I didn’t care, and as they entered the kitchen, I yelled at Jon, “what’s up with the cookies?” Both of them were caught by surprise and Jon said “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “Oh ya, look at this mess” I shouted as I opened the cabinet to reveal the cookie massacre. Jon was speechless, but the girl casually walked over and looked closely at all the cookies then turned to me and said “have you been eating these cookies?” “Yes” I yelled, “whatever was left of them”, as I looked over at Jon menacingly.
The girl took the rest of the cookies and package and threw them all in the trash. “Who are you?” I asked. “Paula Jackson” she said, “and I hope you don’t get sick from eating all the mouse poop that was on those cookies”. I suddenly felt ill. “Mouse poop?” I was mystified. “Mice are eating your cookies you silly boy” she said. I looked over at Jon and he smugly looked back and asked, “are you going to apologize?” “No” I was defiant, “but I was going to ask how you found such a smart girl?”
Jon wound up marrying that smart girl, and me, and Dan found our own smart girls too. We each stayed in the roofing business and we each had two children and share lots of good memories. I’m lucky to have plenty of great friends and plenty of funny snap shots of my life to choose from in order to keep myself from crying.
This article was posted by Keith Stanley Spain on August 14, 2010
Click here to comment on this article.
Comments
Knowing ALL parties, and remembering Paula very well from High School, this is a very touching and beautiful memory Keith. I guess that's what we're building these days memories and beautiful recollections. My Paula rest in eternal peace. -BK
Posted by: Brian Kain | August 15, 2010 01:01 PM
What a great story. Paula had a great sense of humor. She was always laughing and fooling around. I will always have fond memories of her. We shared a mutual friend in Sharon Long. She will be missed by so many. My sympathy goes out to her entire family and close friends and students
Posted by: Mari-Jean Gage (Condo) | August 15, 2010 05:34 PM
What a great story, Keith!
Posted by: Lorraine Cazeault | August 15, 2010 10:14 PM