A Friend’s Offer
Some time has passed and both Kirk and I have finished our military service. It's around early 1986. Kirk found a place to stay in Fremont, California and since he became married to a wonderful person, Stephanie. More on her, later. I was unceremoniously fired from my first Cali job and landed a second as a cashier at a local health food store. I liked that job much better and the owners grew to trust me. During this time, I hung out with Kirk and Stephanie often poaching meals as often as they'd have me (which was unusually often). I was a pest. I had no other family in Cali. Kirk and Stephanie were it. He took me under his wing. He promised to look out for me after I finished my obligation with the Navy. He was true to his word. He must've let Stephanie know, because, she didn't seem to mind my regular appearances at their home...especially for...