A Story of Friendship (757 hits)
Category: NoneLabels: Truth
Rating: 1.79 on 19 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Snark << snarkk.at.gmail.com (View user info) at 2004-10-22 11:35:29 EDT
This story was written for a friend on her birthday.
If you are here looking for a quick hit about sex, violence or the word "Peener" then move on.
This post is not for you.
If you want to read something that *might* put a smile on your face and a spring in your step (however briefly) read on.
WILL AND DANUTA
I met William first.
I met him in a formal context during a job interview. He the interviewer, I the interviewee and I knew right away "I like this guy. This guy is cool"
Will is one of those rare people who is naturally lacking in bullshit pretension. Easy going without being boring, smart without being boorish. He's the kind of guy who has an intelligence that is readily evident through effortless wit and equally easy humor.
A real person.
The fact that he has a discoloration under his eye that mirrors his bottom eyelash as if he's just come back from an all night Goth fest makes him extra cool.
The fact that he's a skinny fucker like me means he rocks.
I started out working in the Helpdesk department under Wills unofficial guidance and quickly learned to depend on his sound knowledge and calm demeanor. Nothing seemed to get under this guys skin. No matter how stupid my Noob questions were or how tired (hungover?) he was from his social escapades the night before he never failed to offer advice when needed. As much as I had liked him during our first meeting, working with him earned my respect.
Eventually (much to my chagrin) Will moved into another department then months later out of the company to spend some time in Japan followed by half a year in Australia.
Prior to his departure we never really hung out much together outside of work. I was caught up in the morose social apathy of a failing marriage while Will was busy being Will, living life... enjoying life.
Enter Danuta.
Danuta worked in another department several floors above me. I had talked to her on several occasions in my capacity as a helpdesk technician and at first didn't think much of her except that she was nice. Apart from that, I pretty much knew her as the "Cute Chick in accounting". I thought that perhaps she had given me "That look" on a couple of occasions but later found out she was checking out my bad 80's haircut instead.
I would see her out front of our office building on occasion having a cigarette as I went to do the same. I didn't talk to her that much then either. Partly because my dead marriage had taken my self esteem with it and partly because I was still holding on to it's rapidly decaying corpse.
Several weeks prior to Wills departure I had the good fortune to finally share a drink with him on one of the few occasions that I hung out with the companies Friday night drinking crowd. I remember Danuta was there as well but I hadn't yet put two and two together.
Finally I had a chance to really talk to the guy.
Finally I had a chance to find out what made this dude tick.
Finally I had a chance to shove my foot in my mouth and suck on the ankle.
I don't remember the exact words but here's the gist of the conversation:
Me: Fuck Will, first you leave the company and now you leave the country.
Will: (Something Witty)
Me: Ahahaha! Bro when you get back you better come back to Helpdesk.
Will: (Something Witty)
Me: Hahaha fuck that.
Will: No worries dude there's lots of beautiful women on the 23rd floor to keep you company.
Me: Hehe the only reason I go to the 23rd is to check out Danuta.
Will: Me and Danuta hooked up a week ago.
(Oh Shit)
Me: Fuckin Awesome! Congratulations man!
Anyone else and I would probably have been thinking "You fucker" but I liked him too much to be anything but genuinely happy for him and so leaned forward and offered my hand.
Luckily he smiled back and helped kill the awkwardness of the moment with a friendly shake.
Will: Thanks man
Me: Seriously! That's great! (This guy thinks I'm an asshole)
Mmmmm Ankle.
Looking at how things have worked out now I don't think he really did pin me with the asshole label, at least not enough to boycott me from his friends list.
Awhile later he was gone and I found myself living in his old apartment and looking forward to putting together a new social life.
I didn't really know anyone in the city aside from my Ex's friends and wasn't particularly crazy about any of them to begin with, so I became a regular at the unofficial company Friday evening drinking events as did Danuta.
The two of us pretty much hit it off the first time she showed up. I think we were both feeling kind of lost. She and Will had shared a magical connection prior to his leaving and his absence was taking its toll on her.
I remember thinking prior to his departure that "There's no way Will's taking off"
Now that I look back... that singular thought is a prime example of how amazing these two are together.
I hadn't really spent much time with either of them, in fact I hadn't really done anything but scratch the surface of who they are. Nevertheless I could tell they were a perfect match.
I don't know exactly how I knew. The knowledge was just there, an undeniable truth that I shared with the rest of the crowd that had met them both.
Over time I hung out with Danuta more and got to know her better than I had ever known Will.
The first time we really hung out drinking I remember looking up at her as she carried my sorry ass in a game of doubles pool and thinking "I like this girl. This girl is cool"
Danuta is one of those rare people who is naturally lacking in bullshit pretension. Energetic without being annoying. Sweet without being sickening. She's the kind of girl who has an intelligence that lies in wait behind her female charms like a jungle cat ready to strike. On top of that, she's open minded and genuine.
A real person.
The fact that she was willing to offer me her friendship during one of the most emotionally fucked up times of my life makes her extra cool.
The fact that she often shares the same sick sense of humor as me means she rocks.
Oh...
Did I mention she's incredibly beautiful? Did I mention she's smart and witty and funny and sexy and the day she chose Will every single guy on the planet (and most of the married ones) cried out in dismay? (Happy Birthday Danuta)
*Cough Cough*
Ahem.
Neither one of us blamed Will for going on his adventure. I didn't blame him because I didn't have any fucking right too whatsoever. I can only guess Danuta didn't because she understood plans had been set in motion a long time before she'd ever come along. He'd made them well in advance and was travelling with a good friend (Of which he naturally has many) and by the time the seed of their love had begun to take root it was too late.
All the better for me.
Over the next few months Danuta and I spent long hours nurturing our friendship over a thousand glasses of beer and twice as many emails (we still do the email thing). Inevitably she became my friend, my confidant and in many ways my life raft. She inadvertently gifted me with the thing that had been missing from my life for more years than I care to remember, the thing that I needed more than anything else at that time of my life.
An open heart.
A true friend becomes an open container when needed, someone you can pour your fears and uncertainty into and then tosses you a lifejacket when you begin to drown in what's left over. Sometimes the salvation they provide comes in the form of wisdom shared and sometimes it comes from them just being there, shouldering the burden of your ache with an open ear and ready smile.
I honestly don't know which type Danuta was... probably both. All I know is, I owe her more than she knows and more than I will probably ever be able to repay and hopefully, in some small way, I did the same for her.
During it all the roots that had sprung from the seed my friends had planted during their brief time together grew strong. The decaying effects of time and distance, the twins that have killed more relationships than they've ever nurtured, somehow helped to cement Will and Danuta's connection.
I remember opening an email from Danuta one day and almost jumping out of my chair with glee at reading something along the lines of "I talked to Will last night. He's on his way back. He's thinks he'll be here in around six days"
I hadn't been completely wrong about Will. Sure he'd left but he couldn't stay away.
He'd realized he'd left something incalculably valuable behind.
He'd realized he was head over heels in love.
Basically he'd smartened the fuck up.
I think Will's trip was meant to be at least half a year. I think he made it two months, maybe three.
WOOHOO!
All is right with the world.
If two people who were obviously meant to be together actually end up together then there's hope for the rest of us isn't there? If the good guy gets the girl then fairytales can come true can't they?
Maybe something as simple and as right as this means that the possibility for a greater good exists.
Hell, there might even be hope for me.
I didn't see them together for awhile once Will got back. Understandably they needed to make up for lost time.
I kept in touch with Danuta over email and occasional saw her in the elevator at work but I found myself awkward when we met. A deep seated fear had begun to emerge within me that Will might take my relationship with his love the wrong way, that with his return I might lose my friendship with them both.
I should have known better.
Will's too cool for that.
The first time I hooked up with them both after his return was as easy and natural as if Will had never left.
From then till now I haven't spent as much time with them as I would like. In fact I turn down their invites more than I accept, mostly due to financial concerns, but when I do see them it's great. Each time I see them the fact that they are truly excellent is cemented by the quality of the tight knit group of people that surround them.
The time I spend with these two friends is a joy I value immensely. The lessons I have learned from seeing them together have reminded me what love can be.
Something about seeing two people giggling like drunken lunatics while play humping on the couch is good for the soul.
I've learned enough hard lessons in the last 34 years to know that nothing is written in stone.
Even the most powerful love can fade. As can friendships. People change and sometimes grow apart due to distance or circumstance, but the impression they leave on you, the mark they make on your life, is timeless.
So thank you Danuta and Will.
Thank you for being such a positive influence during dark times.
Thank you for letting me share a little in your happiness.
Thank you for leaving your mark.
But most of all...
Thank you for being my friends.
Cheers from the heart.
Snark
User Reviews
Submitted by TigerLilly (user info) at 2004-12-16 15:22:37 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I read this again, because I think it
is awesome.
Submitted by Jo_of_the_golden_P (user info) at 2004-11-29 21:35:45 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Timmah (user info) at 2004-10-25 08:28:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I want my quick hit of sex and violence!
Part four is up http://www.ubersite.com/m/49565
Submitted by Tickle (user info) at 2004-10-22 19:22:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I want to say thank you to my good friend Snark "review whore" Snarkopolous for writing me such a terrific story for my birthday!!
Disclaimer: I, Tickle, am of sound mind and I am not under any threat of violence from an animated tattoo as I post this review. ;)
Snark you're awesome! Your writing is awesome! I'm so glad that we are friends and will be making perverted twisted bad jokes until we're 69 and beyond.
(Get it? 69) haw haw haw
Submitted by Xena (user info) at 2004-10-22 18:50:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This made me smile even more, cause I happen to be lucky enough to know all involved!
Happy Belated Danuta
Submitted by sis <sismo12345.at.hotmail.com> at 2004-10-22 14:37:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I really like this one it tells of true friendship and love. I feel all warm and fuzzy inside.I hope to meet these friends of yours someday. I think that you are a really good friend to Will and Danuta as are they to you. Thats really important nowadays when it is really hard to trust people.I think you know what I mean. TTYL Buddy Sis.
Submitted by MyNameIsTim (user info) at 2004-10-22 14:36:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
a single tear rolls down my cheek...
followed by several clones.
Submitted by Stin (user info) at 2004-10-22 13:54:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Amen for friends.
Submitted by Feijuada (user info) at 2004-10-22 13:14:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Peener.
Submitted by Fleadh (user info) at 2004-10-22 12:19:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I was waiting and waiting for the bit where you banged her but ya didnt...Its odd that I say kudos to that...
Submitted by Snark (user info) at 2004-10-22 12:13:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Wow,
The fact that anyone is taking the time to read this somewhat restores my faith in Uber.
Submitted by Fr057m0urn3 (user info) at 2004-10-22 12:09:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Not funny, not offensive, unlike 90% of Uber posts.
Great stuff.
Submitted by wookie (user info) at 2004-10-22 11:57:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
What an abso-fucking-lutely wonderful post.
Submitted by Jeanneee (user info) at 2004-10-22 11:52:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm sitting here at my desk wiping away a tear. How gay am I. For real though, it's beautiful to see someone who appreciates his friends like this. I've met too many people who are dead inside, and it's easy to forget that it's not too late for everyone. This is by far the most meaningful post I have read yet on ubersite.
Submitted by TigerLilly (user info) at 2004-10-22 11:51:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Awesome! Friends rule and you
are a great dude for saying such
nice things about a girl whom you
liked that was with another guy.
Submitted by Snark (user info) at 2004-10-22 11:49:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Circe,
You already got your post for the year :)
Besides, this wasn't near sexy enough for you.
Submitted by knucklesnelson (user info) at 2004-10-22 11:43:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
No Comment
Submitted by Circe (user info) at 2004-10-22 11:42:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Slowly, slowly, I came to accept as I read that this wasn't about me.
And I liked it anyway.
Says something, huh?
Submitted by Snark (user info) at 2004-10-22 11:35:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Names have been changed.