I have written about the Frazier Thomas Band several times since I inherited this assignment at the beginning of 2021. Based on a local kids’ television show about a goose who thought he was the King of the United States, our band was purely a figment of our collective teenage imagination. Back then, life seems to have been so much simpler. Then, it was all about the music.
It’s been more than four years since we lost A.P., who produced our first imaginary record album. He was the first, and, so far, only original member to depart the scene. Today, however, both our imaginary drummer and lead vocalist are fighting distinct types of cancer. Eric, our imaginary keyboardist, has not yet been hobbled by a diagnosis of congestive heart failure, but you can sense that it is taking a slow toll on him.
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I can’t grouse about this natural aging process. Even the lovely Ms. M., whose official imaginary band designation was, quite naturally, “foxy chick” singer, is now a member of our small club of septuagenarians.
Sadly, the clock only runs in one direction. Reality cannot be undone.
I fear the deep philosophical discussions of youth that lasted deep into the night over a shared bottle of wine, perhaps two, and mellow weed, are the mere remnants of a past long gone. If you eavesdropped, these days you are far more likely to overhear us commiserating about a doctor’s visit, an ache, a pain, or something much worse, than discussing radical politics or the use of symbolism in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
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I nevertheless look forward to my short visit with Bob and Linda, which begins later today. They are coming here to assist one of their two married daughters. It appears the daughter’s brother-in-law is a seriously troubled fellow. As I understand the situation, the hope is that returning him to the hometown in Ohio where his extended family resides might get him back on his feet.
Bob is one of the imaginary band’s original members. I was “best man” at his wedding to Terri, who died many years ago. Linda, who is now Bob’s wife, became best friends with Lee. Bob and Linda are two of my favorite people, so even a short visit with them is a welcome event.
Their visit also provides a good reason for at least one more imaginary band reunion. After Bob and Linda confirmed their visit, I immediately reached out to Eric, Steve, and Ms. M., hoping to orchestrate one or two ad hoc events.
In our halcyon youth, we would have ventured to try almost anything. Looking back, we were fortunate to escape into full adulthood physically and mentally intact.
On this visit, however, we’re more likely to spend our limited time catching up, choosing the preferred type of restaurant food, imbibing a favorite cocktail or two, and, provided Bob feels up to it, engaging in an impromptu jam session. Too slow and sedate to satisfy our younger selves, these activities sound right for today’s versions.
Indeed, I made a reservation for ten for tomorrow evening at a popular local restaurant. I am somewhat surprised, given peoples’ hectic schedules, that without much advance notice or any planning, folks have carved out time to get together during Bob and Lindas’ brief visit here. I’m quite certain everyone is acutely aware that we’re living on borrowed time. Such awareness makes our shared time together a little more special. No one dares take things for granted any longer.
Of course, one unspoken corollary is that, in time, these group outings will become rarer events. The reality of life is that a day will come when there won’t be enough of us remaining to form a group. It is a sad notion.
