Like most small towns the one I grew up in had it's own cast of odd birds. The red headed weirdo twins, Rambutt (fat army guy in pink and black tight shorts), The Smiley bike rider, Crazy Dick, Carol (who was covered in a story last year), Essexville Jason (he looked like a bad Larry Bird), and many others.
I remember my first encounter with Huggie (name changed). It was at recess in the school year '77. I was a small, mostly good natured, toe head enjoying a good swing. Huggie and the Spiedle twins deiced that they needed that swing and kicked my ass. Truly a good experience, in the sense I learned what it was to fight hard and to lose. The twins each had an arm and Huggie teed off on my belly, chest, face. I vividly remember my first trip to the office, battered, bloody, lip still quivering, and a swell of a feeling that if you've never been beat up you wont understand. Standing there in front of Principle Mohr(who funny enough beat up, well drop kicked my bud "Tudd the Dudd") as he smoked his pipe and told him what happened. Getting your ass kicked then tell people you got your ass kicked is a kick in the ass. Huggie was different from the above loonies because in my theory he is not real.
In the conventional realm, yes Huggie is flesh and blood. Big, fat, and ugly! I mean that with no malice, nor attack, he just is. He'd wear hats that said "I may be ugly but your fat and I can lose weight" and t-shirts stating "I love my attitude problem". The day he finally got his driver's license (seventh try)he almost ran me over on the inside of a store. Matt and I were smoking in Rebel party store, getting free pop. Giggling in the booth with loaded ash tray and enough caffeine to change how we sat every ten seconds for hours when, "Damn, that looks like Huggie, Damn, that is Huggie!" and SMASH!!! Bumper into brick, huge eyes meet passing through window, air, and windshield. Then laughter that does damage to internal organs. Huggie was the driver, but Huggie was not driving.
The Empty Vessel of Bad Karma, that's how I think of him. I have not ballooned this idea to see if it will fly past the signs of Essexville village limits, but it holds true there. I think if you are truly hurtful to him, you become his soul for a day. Thou it would take hypnoses for me >to be positive, I'm pretty sure I've been him. So have many, many that have lived in Essexville.
When I was living in "The Pit" Huggie would stop over often. Once I was walking up the stairs and past the window of the door. I looked into it because vanity moons my tide. Instead of seeing my reflection I saw Huggie's smile. I freaked! Somebody in your window at night will do that to you, but more so it was a strange desa vu. That's why I think I was him for a blink.
I've seen Huggie in all sort of odd predicaments, that's why it all makes sense. Naked with red, yellow, and green of catsup, mustard, and relish. Getting beat up by his Mom. Smashing into buildings. Falling down without making a sound. And many others!!!
So what am I trying to say, only make fun of people your jealous of? Or when you make fun of someone you make fun of yourself?
Besos ridden Catsoup
�2003 Daniel J Harris