I'm Over My Head, But It Sure Feels Nice...
Previously, Chapter 6: All I Want is to See You Smile, If it Takes Just a Little While...
Seeing how happy Susan was at Fisher Junior College made me start to think about going back to school. My grades were good enough to get me into Northeastern, and then I could move to Boston, not far from her, which would be a much better situation, relationship, and career-wise. It was 1978, and at 22, I needed to have a career plan. Selling shoes in a department store, in a mall, was the equivalent of being "a real nowhere man selling shoes in nowhere land, making all my nowhere plans for nobody." It was time for a change…
I gave my notice at Filene's, and that summer, I went back to work for Pokey, doing landscape construction. The crew consisted of all our high school buddies, and even though it was hard work and didn't pay very well, it was a lot of fun, and the perfect bridge between the working world and college.
I was accepted into the physical education program at Northeastern by mid-July. With all my transferable credits from Norwich, B.U., and Bridgewater State, I was only a few credits shy of my junior year.
My cousin Mark was graduating from MIT and taking a job as an engineer for G.E., and leaving his part-time job at Father's Fore in Cambridge. He asked his boss if I could take over his job as a bouncer and bartender when he left. I met with Kevin, the manager, and was hired. Once I signed up for classes and had a part-time job, all that was left to do was find an affordable place to live, which I knew wouldn't be easy.
After an exhausting search, I stumbled upon a large studio apartment for short money on Beacon Street by Kenmore Square, about a mile from Susan's dorm at Fisher. She was at 102 Beacon and I was at 587. It was all working out even better than I could've imagined. I had a career plan and lived close to Susan. Life was as good as it gets!
When I put in a little effort, I could be a good student, and getting B's at Northeastern was easy-peasy. I worked 3-4 nights a week, so I had some money, too. When I wasn't working, and Susan and I weren't studying, we shacked up at my place by Kenmore Square, where there were plenty of bars and places to eat within walking distance.
Living so close to Fenway Park, sitting on my front stoop, I could hear the crowd cheering during games. I started making a habit of tricking Susan into coming to my place only to hijack her to a ballgame. Nothing fancy. Cheap seats in the centerfield bleachers. One time, we saw an Angels-Red Sox game sitting in the worst two seats in the ballpark: very last row, right center, with an obstructed view in the triangle under the big billboard. I love baseball, but Susan wasn't a big fan of it. Fortunately, she loved Fenway Franks and ice cream served in a mini batting helmet, so she was a good sport about it, and we attended more games than she wanted. I always made it up to her by taking her to Faneuil Hall, one of our favorite spots in Boston.
One night, on the way to see a movie, I told Susan I was thinking about going to spring training because I heard the Red Sox needed catchers… She immediately started begging me not to do it. I explained, "If I can make the roster, I'll make good money!" She was upset that I'd be leaving to play baseball. Once we were seated in the cinema, and the movie started, I leaned in and whispered in her ear, "I was just kidding about trying out for the Red Sox. I could never make the team!" She elbowed me pretty fucking hard…
I worked out in the gym at Northeastern after school, and some nights I'd put on my gray sweats and low black Cons and run from my place to Susan's, about a mile. After hanging out with her, I'd run home. I was a physical education major and in great shape. I always regretted my decision to give up playing football while at Norwich, but for some reason, I kept that football player mentality. I stayed in playing shape, as if there was still a chance to change my mind and suit up. There wasn't.
My career goal was to be a high school gym teacher and either a football or baseball coach. Maybe both.
At one point, early-winter, Susan brought up marriage, and as much as I loved her and marrying her was always in my plans, it scared the crap out of me! I wasn't ready. I wanted to get my Bachelor's degree first, and a teaching job, but Susan was getting her associate's degree in May, and she was ready…
Getting married was a conversation we continued to have…
You can take me to the paradise
And then again you can be cold as ice
I'm over my head (Over my head)
Oh, but it sure feels nice
