Richard’s Lakehouse on Lake Island Ford

 

Chuck, Momma Jacquie and Carole on the boat in Lake Keystone circa 1970

 

Richard Martin asked me to come see his place at Lake Island Ford on Crescent Road.  He showed me the road he built with wash out from a rock mine, the orange grove and the tenant who isn’t paying.  The house and grounds were like out of my most comfortable memories of living near my grand mother and grand father on Lake Keystone.  The house was wood and brick and sprawling to take full advantage of the glorious view.

 

The house was in disrepair as if it had been abandoned for several years.  The dust was an inch deep on the player piano, the memorabilia and the slot machines.  It looked like a place that used to hold so many happy memories but had been long forgotten.  On the boat docks the wood was rotting from neglect, the screens were torn and blowing mournfully in the evening breeze.

 

Richard has stopped on the way there and picked up shrimp, muscles, bean salad and potato salad for us to eat in the Jacuzzi while we watched the game.   He pealed them and fed me.  I pealed them and fed him.  It just felt so “normal”, like we had always been this way.  He kissed me, but differently this time.  This time his kisses were passionate and I felt so carried away.  My heart was pounding and my breathing accelerated and he asked me why it was I wasn’t turned on.  Was he kidding?

 

That weekend I was scheduled to be at Peter Fortunato’s seminar:  One Step Beyond in Orlando.  Wally and Barbara Wolcott were there and I met John Schaub and his wife.  The seminar was great.  I learned a lot.  You have no other choice when in Pete’s company, but I couldn’t get Richard out of my mind!

 

I've been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet. 

 

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Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only.