Grade School Reunion

It was weird yesterday... I bumped into a grade school classmate of mine at work, in the bathroom, on my floor, at the New York Stock Exchange... he was cleaning a sink. I recognized him right away because I see him around the Pink House as well. I don't know if he recognizes me, but we did have an encounter about 12 years ago where he said he doesn't remember me from 6th grade and told me that he failed out of John Dewey HS during his senior year; I was 17. So, ever since, I only see him as an "everyday neighborhood familiar face"... ya know... people that you "know" on the daily train commute. That reminds me... I haven't seen the "pouty lipped couple" lately after the woman gave birth three months ago.

Anyway, it was a weird moment because I see his dad and mom occasionally on Sundays when I had my mandarin classes. His dad and mom owns the corner bakery a block from the Pink House. His parents used to own and probably still own the local convenience store two avenues away as well. He looks just like his dad. His parents also speak Spanish and are probably transplants from Vietnam. They're not Vietnamese by blood, but actually Chinese. I do know a lot about this guy, uh? Also, he was known as the "Seven Star Boy" at PS 97 when we were kids. His grandpa called him the "Seven Star Boy" because his mother only carried him for seven months before going into labor. He has an older sister... I believe.

No, I don't stalk him or his family... just noticed these things over the years when I was in class with him and etc. (Yum... I just came back from the kitchenette and stuffed my face silly with Italian cookies... so good... wondering now if I should go back for thirds... uh seconds...)

Anyway, being sidetracked here due to sugary temptations 20 feet away. (Okay... just came back with Tostitos... white corn chips... no dippings.) Okay. It was weird because we made eye contact and I didn't know whether I should say "Hi" or not. We both looked away. I pee peed. He scrubbed the sink. I washed my hands with soap. He scrubbed the sink. I dried my hands. He scrubbed. I left.

I know he was in school about 2 years ago because I saw him with textbooks and all... but, I wonder what happened now?

I dunno... he used to be this happy kid that smiled ALL the time. He was a slightly chubby kid back then and my mom playfully called him the "Fot Shui Mean Bao" one time. He was so happy and cheerful and good hearted too. Ever since I bumped into him 12 years ago, I've came to know him as a very unhappy person. He was cursing out the teachers who failed him and had this grumpy look on his face. The grumpy look never went away since. How sad.

I'm sure last night's encounter won't be my last, now that he is our new janitor. I guess I should pee half an hour earlier before I leave work or just hold it in until I get home. hmmm... It's 4pm now. I gotta pee in another 45 minutes... which means one more cup of water for today... a small cup... don't ask.