I’ve been asked if I’ll be the first one of “the circle” to have kids. My answer has been, “No, but I’m the first normal one of the circle to have kids.”
Way back in ‘94 Kyle and Joe first began their onslaught of torment. It was chemistry class and the room had stadium-style seating. They sat in the row ahead of me and every day wrote notes calling “Barnhardt” a drunk and a wife beater which they then held up for me to see. I giggled a gap-toothed giggle like only I could and several times looked like quite the fool. But it was hilarious and I appreciated their effort and creativity. It was one of a limited number of humorous moments among what was an otherwise tiring 5-year obligation. It also acted as a catalyst for my growing disinterest in school, but that all worked out for the best.
Fast forward 13 years. Kyle has a ___ (number between 1 and 4) -year-old child, is happily married and owns his own auto shop, Kartek. His hobbies include shouting racial slurs at shop tools, discovering new sexual fetishes to share with the circle and leaving me odd voicemail messages. Hey, here’s one now:
So now you know Kyle about as well as we all do. When you have time, be sure to stop by Kartek to say hi. If you ask nicely, he may even show you the scar where he was burned by radiator steam. It was the first time Kyle got burned by Kartek, though that place has been burning the rest of us for years.*
\* Copyright 2007, Jeff Girdlestone.