jackofallgeeks | /Those were the days, my friend/we thought they'd never end

So, yesterday, I get up at 6:00 as per usual, get out of bed at 6:10, and went about the daily ritual. I stuffed a pair of jeans and a t-shirt into my briefcase-bag-thingy, and then went off to work. You see, yesterday was different - I wasn't going home after work.

Ok, looking at that, you might (maybe, if you didn't know me) assume I'd planned on running away. Nothing so dramatic. I was visiting an old friend, Jackie McDo- well, that's not her name anymore, but...let's back up.

I met Jackie back in Virginia, the first year we Homeschooled, I guess. She was homeschooled as well, needless to say, and her mom (who I've found is much younger than I'd thought) was very strictly Catholic (and yes, this is comming from me - just imagine...). She was in a support-group-thing with me and Oli (you all know Oli, yes?) and a few others. We went bowling, and had pizza parties, but I donno that I ever really knew her (or Oli, for that matter) very well.

Several years ago, her family got moved out to Italy (yeah, Italy) and I didn't hear anything from her afterwards. Just about a year or so ago, Oli said there was trouble out there, but I was never clear on the details.

Just this past week, I was talking with Oli, and she said Jackie was on. She continued by said she was living in California (!!!). When I asked her where, she said Chula Vista - which is not only just 30min away, but it's where our old house was! Needless to say, I was excited. The internet is all well and good, but I miss hanging out with my friends. This was someone I KNEW (roughly) who was within driving distance.

I IMed Jackie, and we got to talking, and it was REALLY cool - it's quite a rush to catch up with someone like that. We talked and talked and talked - then she asked if I wanted to get t'gether and hang out. We made plans, and that's what brought me to yesterday afternoon. I changed at work, got out on the road, and after getting myself turned around a number of times, made it to her place.

In alot of ways, Jackie still looked the same - it has only been, what, 2 or 3 years? In a number of ways, she looked different (most notable, of course, that she was pregnant ^^;;). We went into her place (an pretty nice looking apartment) and started talking again. Apparently, when she moved, she'd passed some kind of phone-list off to me. ^^;; I was never aware of this, which would explain why Oli complained to Jackie about it. I don't enjoy phones, anyways. We talked about Italy (she ran away from home) and her husband (he's an enlisted guy in the Navy) and everything! It was great. ^^

Heh heh, apparently, Oli'd liked me back in the group thing. See, EVERYBODY liked Jackie, but when I showed up, it seemed I was more interested in Oli. ^^ Wether or not I truely was interested in her, we may never know (curse my memory).

We went out and got Arby's for dinner (and I kept several sandwiches for my lunch today - no Taco Bell for me! ^___^) and talked about life, and independance, and just getting out - it was the most refreshing thing, getting out of the house with a friend and just, you know, BEING there, I guess. ^^;; it's hard to explain, but I feel...healthier. These past few days since that RelCon, I've been feeling more and more like myself (as may be evident in my posts, maybe not). It's just...good. ^^;;

Jackie turns 19 in December, making her at least a year older than I ever thought she was. O.o But she's so...child-like! It was great. She was bouncy, and that kind of stuff, and even while she could be serious and we could really talk, she was just so...full of life, I guess. ^^ She's had some rough times, and I hope she doesn't lose that spark. I hope all the 'adults' I ever meet in life are like that. LOL, Dude, we're adults! LOL

As a final note, Jackie gave me one of the greatest compliments possible, too. She said something along the lines of how she could talk to me about anything - just be herself - and not have to worry about how I'll take it. I like that. ^^;; She also said that I hadn't changed - I'm still the same goof I've ever been. ^___^ I like that, too.

It was so unbelievable to see a friendly face again. I can't wait to get back East.