Once upon a time, in the year 2003 and on a total whim, I decided to move to Annapolis, MD.  A previous adventure had not worked out and not wanting to admit defeat, I was ready for the next adventure. 

I rented a U-haul for the third time in four months and on a brisk November day my parents moved me into an apartment with a roommate that I’d found in the classified ads of the Baltimore-Sun.  His name was Messy Richard.  Oh, and he was a boy. 

My mom can still recall the number of stairs she climbed to get to the fourth floor historic building at 217 Hanover Street.  In some ways, I’m sure that I’m responsible for her recent shoulder surgery as she helped to hoist furniture through the leprechaun sized apartment door.  Messy Richard, on the other hand, moved into the apartment with only what he could fit into his Volvo.  He slept on a bed reminscent of a kindergarten nap mat & owned only a few clothes.  His shoes had holes in them, but his father carried a fancy title like Admiral or Doctor or something like that. 

My parents begged and pleaded for me to return home with them. 

What if you get lead poisoning from the building? 

I promise not to eat paint chips. 

What if, you know, Messy Richard is an ax murderer? 

I think I can take him.

Reluctantly, my parents returned to Pennsylvania.  I think they were shocked that their type A Prima Dona was going to live in a crooked house with a leprechaun door with shifty kitchen cabinets and a scary-ass bathroom.

I worked at a preschool during the day and spent the rest of my time combing the streets of historical Annapolis, making friends at the coffee shop with Reggie the Homeless Guy, reading at the waterfront, and visiting with friends. 

My new roomie and I didn’t see each other too much as he kept odd hours at work.  When I inquired as to what he did, he responded that he read Chinese newspapers.  He read those papers and would report about possible threats to Americans who might be traveling internationally.  As for me, I was reading Eric Carle and leading circle time.  We couldn’t be more different, which leads me to this question…

Messy Richard — Mega Dork OR International Spy?

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Tune-in tomorrow for the next edition of “Life Before Coach”…

Fireman Scott & the Ferret 

February 9th, 2010 The FW Posted in Life Before Coach, Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

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