Deunn

He used to work at the University Center every Thursday.  Every other Thursday at 3pm paychecks from the school arrive at that location. I had a lab from 2 to 5 pm on Thursdays last semester but i often managed to take a break – not as much because i couldn’t wait till Friday to get paid, but because every single time Deunn handed someone a paycheck, he’d put a grin on his face and say, “enjoy that money!”. Slowly but surely that expression became an integral part of mine and my roommate’s speech. Not a day would pass without us saying, “enjoy that sunshine!”, or “enjoy that beer!”, often up to 10 times a day. We have attempted to eradicate that saying from our existence and although progress has definitely been made, both of us slip constantly. Deunn has since quit that job. I saw him a few times, but never talked to him. It makes me wonder though – have i ever made a similar type of impact on someone’s life?

Scott

I like his soft voice. I like how that voice has a miraculous ability to constantly complain about its owner’s life without any trace of whining. I like listening to its taIks about meditation and daily consumption of copious amounts of intoxicants. I like that despite of the complaining, the lips that produce that voice smile more than any person i know and that the smile seems sincere.  I like his sad eyes and his curly hair. I think the lack of style in his choice of clothes is nothing short of adorable. And finally, i like to picture him naked in my mind when i study late at night.. like, right now. I can’t help it and i don’t want to, but i also don’t want to hit on him even though i know he has slept with men. I like my idealized version of him and i don’t want to ruin it by getting to know him better.

Justin

He’s funny. He thinks fast. He likes to mess with me when he sees me at work. And although my slow brain sometimes manages to come up with something witty in response, i constantly fall flat on my face. Our coworkers get awkward at the idiocies i utter, but i’m not embarrassed. Instead, i enjoy watching their uneasy reaction and it makes me want to say dumber and dumber things every day.