The Kat House

An old high school classmate recently made contact with me via MySpace. Doesn’t it just seem like everyone is on there these days?

I met Paul in the 7th grade, and we went through middle and high school together. We were never friends, but we were acquaintances I guess you could say. We had classes together, and he had a tendency to pick on me. I distinctly remember 7th grade Reading class. Someone would read a paragraph out loud, and that person would then choose the next person to read. Every time Paul read, he would choose me to go next. I think back on that memory, and I smile, but at the time, I’m pretty sure I was cursing him under my breath!

As much as Paul got under my skin, there was something fascinating about him. I left high school without so much as a care about anyone I had known there, but in the years since that time, Paul has crossed my mind on many, many occasions. I’ve often wondered what he has been up to, and how his life has turned out. A couple of years ago, I left a comment on a Classmates.com bulletin board requesting contact information on Paul, provided that anyone had it. I never got a response.

A few days ago, I checked my email, and I had a notice from MySpace - You have a new message from Paul. There are lots of Pauls in the world, but the first thought to come to my mind was, “I hope it’s Paul M!” Lo and behold, it was. We have exchanged several emails, or perhaps I should say novels, since that time. Paul is happily married with four children, and he lives near Raleigh, NC where we works as a software engineer. His emails are quite fascinating, and I’m glad that we have finally had the chance to make a connection. I see a wonderful friendship in the making - provided that he doesn’t choose me to read a paragraph in front of the class!

*Paul, if you’re reading this, how about letting me borrow that shirt? I wanna be a superhero too!