After attending the most excruciating New Year's party, I started to consider a lot of things that I had simply pushed aside in the years past. My friends, my desire to become a vegan, wanting to live in a cave, and most importantly, my past lovers.
I met Richard Madison in the 3rd grade. I had just moved from Martha's Vineyard (which is now called, Lady Gaga Island, in honor of the deceased pop diva) to Issaquah, Washington. This move was mainly due to my father, who was diagnosed with Yuppieitis (disease in which one loses all form of modesty and dignity). Who knew that when I first walked into Ms. Frankel's classroom I would find my eyes gazing upon the man of my dreams. While everyone in the class greeted me with the typical form of kindness, I couldn't help but notice a stocky young chap, who didn't seem to care whatsoever about my presence. Little did I know that Richard wasn't actually disgusted by my presence, but just shy as a bowl of coleslaw at a family picnic. For days after my arrival, I sat across from this intriguing little boy, imagining the thought of befriending him. Finally after a month or so, I offered up my friendship to Richard by inviting him to come over to my new house. Richard agreed to do so.
It was on October 3rd, 2005, when I realized that I truly loved Richard Madison. From his smile, to his pudgy belly and face, I was completely and absolutely enamored by him. I know, I know, I was only seven when I realized that I was destined to be Richard's soul mate, but there was just something about him that I just knew right away... Richard was the one (and only) for me. For the next ten years, Richard and I were inseparable. We ate together, we walked together, we did everything together. However, like all great things, our friendship was soon torn to shreds.
On June 12th, 2015, after a long Saturday afternoon of rough housing with Richard, I found myself being pushed out the front door by Richard's Stepmom. Unfortunately, that was the last time I ever saw Richard. Apparently, Richard's Stepmom thought that Richard should be spending more time with women, and not me. The next day, I climbed up the oak tree next to Richard's bedroom window, only to find a completely empty room. Where could he have gone? I asked around the whole town, but no one had any clues as to where Richard was. Not even Richard's Stepmom would to tell me. My heart, for ten years had been flying high above reality, only to plunge to it's death in one fell swoop. I had my heart broken and I couldn't even figure out how it happened.
I tried moving on with my life (after months of wearing the same underwear and watching the longest Golden Girls marathon known to man) by attempting to meet some other possible friends. But with every breath I put into a conversation with someone new, the name Richard Madison came shooting back to me. Almost twenty years later and I still find myself wallowing over Richard. What is he doing now? Does he have a wife and kids? Does he still remember me? Does he sell black tar heroin to overzealous, spoiled teenagers? Where is Richard Madison I ask? Where is he?
