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Oct 02, 2003 08:53

oh man, longest day trip to fairmount, ever. perhaps because it wasn't just a day.

tuesday morning i got up early and got ready to go to fairmount for jimmy's memorial service. it was an uneventful drive down, which is always nice. i arrived in town, went to the gallery for a few minutes, drove to the post office, and then went to the loft to pick up isabel. we then went back to the gallery and hung out there. at about 12 or a little before, we went to the church, with lenny in tow. i took pictures of everyone as they mingled around, munching on food provided by the church. finally, miss pamela d B showed up and we knew that arlene was ready to start. everyone rushed around to get a seat. we got a good seat, i was across the aisle from dave, pamela and len and right next to isabel. the service was very moving. i cried more than once during it. arlene martel (to me, she will be forever arlene sax, since that's what they called her in the james dean story) recalled tales of how they used to read the little prince to each other and what it was like to be in love with him. she said how once she had called him to see whether or not what the press had been saying (that he was having a breakdown, i'm assuming after pier angeli married vic damone) and to tell him that he was missed. the next day there was a knock on the door and it was jimmy. "you said you missed me." i would have died. she also said that when he walked into a room, molecules changed. you didn't even have to know he was there, but you were changed. i cried when she said that.

so after her very moving speech, we walked from the church to the cemetary. it was cold. but nice. after we sang part of amazing grace, i talked to cousin markie (james dean's cousin). pamela asked if i was staying for the dinner at 7pm and i said, no i hadn't planned on it. everyone looked sad. so i decided to stay for the dinner. it's hard to leave that town, especially when it is september 30th and you are standing at the man's grave with people you love. so i stayed. i had to drop isabel off at the loft by 4:45, said goodbye to her (i said good day, sir!) and went to the gallery. i met this girl, katherine, that i had met earlier in the weekend and asked if she was going to the dinner. she wasn't. she was very cool though, we talked for like, two hours, just about jimmy and the town and our feelings on the people there. this creepy guy kept having me get out collector books from the glass cases. blech. katherine left and i said see you next year, because i am leaving tonight. she was happy to finally met someone that was her own age, she is twenty two also, that liked jimmy.

finally dave and i got the creepy guy to leave and we headed over to marion for the dinner. about 20 people showed up. it was a good time. got to talk to pamela and arlene more. i told david that i was going to get ready to go home and he said, no, just stay the night at our place. lenny said, what, are you trying to rob her of her education?! (i love that man!) david said, no, i just don't want anything to happen to her, especially not today (meaning september 30th). so i called my parents and my dad said that they were just getting ready to call me and to tell me to stay. so i did, and pamela was excited, because she was staying with dave and lenny too. so we went back, kurt was staying also, so we joked around about margaret cho, who he loves too and we all watched queer eye for the straight guy. good times. pamela said to me, night sweetie pie. see you in the morning. then she blew me a kiss. god i love hanging out there. i had to sleep in my clothes, but oh well.

the next day, there was no heat in the gallery. it was cold cold and we all huddled together for warmth. the pilot light was out, but no one could figure out how to light it. pamela went to go get alrene, because she had wanted to come back and sign pictures. katherine came back and was suprised that i was still there. i told what had happened. i asked her where she was staying and she said, um, my car. she had spent the entire weekend in her car, parked at the walmart parking lot. i felt bad for her, but i guess she does it all the time. at noon, we were supposed to meet pamela and arlene down at the dinner for lunch. i took katherine with me. so it was me, katherine, pamela, arlene, phil and two guys from germany. after lunch we went back to the gallery so arlene could quickly sign some pictures before pamela and arlene had to go home. sad sad. she signed a picture for me. woot. i let her use my silver sharpie and she kept commenting on how wonderful it looked on black and white photos. we had some pictures taken. pamela kept grabbing me and hugging me saying, i don't want to go! i said, move then! and i told her that i was going to move and her eyes got big. oh, well, if you are, so am i! she said. woot. we kept hugging, partly because it was so cold. i hugged arlene, too and she said, i don't feel like i am saying goodbye! i know i will be back again. and she kissed my cheek. aw. she was a sweet lady. she gave me her address and phone number. woot.

after pamela and arlene left, i went inside to gather up my stuff and say goodbye. i said, dave, i never want to leave here. i want to stay forever. he said, so, stay forever. we would love it. we can arrange it. he did everything but ask me to move in. i was suprised. i would love to live with them for a few months while i was looking for an apartment or house. i'm going to go to school today and see what it takes to transfer to ball state and maybe do it for next term! yeah!

all in all, i am sooo glad i stayed. i missed two classes, but it was totally worth it.
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