Visit to Bob and Jim

Louise and Bob

Horrendous storms and rains were forecast for this weekend.  Not quite tornadoes and hurricanes but something near a Nor'easter.  Well, actually we did get a little bit of that yesterday when we visited our friends Bob and Jim who live at Brandywine Senior Living.  We figured the traffic would be light on Route One because of the impending storm.  It was.

When we arrived about 11:30 am, Bob and Jim were still in the dining room, waiting for their desserts.  These guys eat good!  No wonder both of them are putting on weight.  Although, I think Bob lost some weight.  

Jim, Bob and I in the dining room at Brandywine

I went into the dining room and told them we would be waiting outside.  While we waited, Bill struck up a conversation with Bob's new girlfriend, Louise.  Louise is a neighbor of theirs (her room is right across the hall from Bob and Jim's.  She's an 87 year old widow who has taken quite a liking to Bob.  And I can tell Bob likes her too.  I think this is wonderful!

Bill and Bob

Me and Jim

Bob and Jim live in an efficiency apartment at Brandywine.  All their meals are provided for them and I might say, they are very good.  I've had a couple and they rival or beat out anything I've had at some of the more expensive fine dining establishments in Rehoboth of Lewes.  

Bill at the door to Bob and Jim's efficiency room at Brandywine

A friend of Bob's called me a few weeks ago.  He hasn't seen Bob for over thirty years.  He found my blog where I mentioned Bob.  He looked up my phone number on the Internet and called me inquiring about Bob.  They lost touch as so often happens with friends, they drift away because of circumstances.  He was Bob's boyfriend before Bob met Jim.  He now lives in San Diego.  

When I saw Bob yesterday I thought I would mentioned his friend's name.  Much to my surprise Bob recognized the name right away!  Jim told me that Bob was having a good day and he was.  I immediately got out my iPhone and placed a call to Bob's friend.  This was very good!  They had a long (about 15 minutes) conversation. Bob then handed my phone to me.  His friend told me that he will visit our area the end of the summer.  I'll take him to visit Bob.  See the good this blog does?  

A Visit To My Longtime Friend

Me, Bob and Jim at North Shores

Regular followers of this blog know that I have a long time friend who now resides in a "senior living" facility in Rehoboth.  This afternoon Bill and I visited Bob and his partner of 32 years, Jim.

Bob (upper left) and me (lower right) at Ft. Devens, Mass. 1960

I've known my friend Bob even longer that I've been with Bill.  Bob and I were in the Army together.  I joined January 27th, 1960 and Bob was drafted January 27th, 1960.  We met after basic training at Ft. Devens, Massachusetts.  We were both attending the Army Security Agency training school.

Bob (left) and me (right) clowning around at lunch break at Ft. Devens, Mass 1960

Bob and I were best friends, not just friends but best friends during the six months we attended school together.  We did everything together from going to the movies, doing laundry and riding home to Pennsylvania on the weekends (a trip hardly worth it because it took eight hours each was but only cost $8.00 per person).  

After we were finished school Bob chose an assignment to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina and I chose Ft. Meade, Maryland.  We  would have chosen the same assignments but there weren't enough allotments.

During the next two and a half years we stayed in almost constant contact by that method of communication from the last century called letters or "snail mail" as it is now know in this digital age.

Bob (center) and I (right) at Provincetown, Mass 1976

After I got out of the Army I moved to Pittsburgh. I was gay and I wanted to come out.  I came out to everyone.  Much to my surprise, when I informed my long time Army friend Bob I discovered he was gay too!

The irony is that we were never attracted to each other physically but our personalities meshed perfectly.  Over the years I've always stayed in contact with Bob.  In fact Bob is the reason I am living in Delaware now.  For many years I used to visit Bob at his single-wide trailer on his 22 acres of wooded land outside of Georgetown Delaware that he called "The Ranch."  

Me with Bob at "The Ranch" near Georgetown, DE  2000

When I decided to retire, Delaware was my first choice, for several reasons.  The low taxes but mainly because of Rehoboth Beach's gay friendly reputation and my good friendship with Bob and his partner Jim.  

Bob and I at the White Capes Cafe in Angola 2002

Sadly, a few years ago Bob began to lose his cognitive abilities.  I noticed this before anyone else did.  I tried to bring it to others attention but they thought I was exaggerating or imagining things.  I knew I wasn't.  I knew Bob better than just about anyone, even his family.

Bob and I still goofing around- 2008

Last year Bob and Jim moved into a senior living facility in Rehoboth Beach.  It is a wonderful (if expensive) facility.  Today Bill and I visited Bob and Jim.  We haven't seen them for about a month.  We were long overdue for a visit.  

Bob during his last visit to our home - 2012

Sometimes I visit Bob and I'm not sure if he knows who I am.  Today was different.  Today was a good day.  Today we knew who I was.  We had a good visit.  My friend Bob and I.

Bob and I today at the senior living facility where he lives today - he still has some of the old spunk - he whispered to me as we were leaving the dining room "See him (a waiter)?  That's a 10!"
That's the Bob I know and love.