Like Liberty, without the Y

I've been thinking about an old friend named Chris a lot lately. I wonder why? The first time I heard his name, I was 7 years old. There was a talent show at my school, and it was pumped through to each class on TV. He did this dance to New York Groove! Keep in mind that this was at an age before you start judging what is and isn't ridiculous. I thought the kid was cool, cuz like me, he liked Ace Frehley!

We were not in the same class, so I didn't really see him after that, except maybe outside on the playground. However, the following year at Halloween time, all of the kids would get dressed up and parade around the other classrooms. Suddenly, here comes this silver-faced kid, and lo & behold, it's Ace Frehley, er... I mean Chris! We still weren't really friends yet...

Fast forward a few years and we're in High School. Finally, Chris and I are friends, not the best of friends mind you, but we would see each other at parties or wherever everybody was hanging out. I remember mentioning that I first saw him on TV at the age of 7, dancing to New York Groove. I made the mistake of mentioning it in front of other people, and he denied it. Afterwards, I was like, "dude, you know you did that back then". He smiled and laughed.

Chris was a good guy. He was into body building, and maybe he was putting stuff into his body that he shouldn' t have that made him pretty agressive. I can't say for sure, but I've heard things. Deep down though, I think he was sweet. One of those guys that can't let it show, because he thinks it's a weakness. I'm no fuckin' psychologist by the way. Maybe it is a weakness when you're a 17 year old boy.

More years go by and High School is a distant memory. Another lifetime. Another world.
I heard he spent some time in prison. I don't know what for. He got out and was working at a car wash towards the end.

I never saw Chris again. I heard he did what he did because he didn't want to go back to prison.
I hate that he did that. I've heard his whole life was a tough one, at home. I don't know what's true and what's not true. However, I do know that Chris is gone.

He used to say to people trying to spell his name, "it's like Liberty, without the Y"

Chris, I hope you've found your peace.
If you've made it back to Earth, I hope to see you again.

tz