13. Mind Bomb, Chapter 2 continued from Postal Service

August 15th, the birth dates of MCA from the Beastie Boys and Matt Johnson of The The. At one time, I really, really loved the album Dusk. I ceaselessly listened to the track, Love is Stronger than Death. I always felt that Stereofish should have been named Mind Bomb in tribute to another cherished The The album. If I could sing, I'd unequivocally hope to have Matt Johnson's voice. Honestly, I can't sing to save my life. I'm not being unpretentious. I really do suck.

Today is also the first anniversary of the death of Nigel Salford, Kara's father.
Kara had invited me to a bereavement, anniversary gathering thing for family and friends. I politely declined in reverence of the circumstances. I had never met Mr. Salford or any of Kara's family for that matter. My attendance surely would have have qualified as an encumbrance. I am irrepressibly timorous and awkward in any unfamiliar social situation. In compensation, Kara would have remained undeviated at my side and I didn't want that.

So instead, I went to Kara's house unannounced and placed flowers at the doorstep with a note conveying my sympathies and support. It was uncluttered and sincere.

The home was quiet on the outside until Kara's voice dented the placidity.

"Hey, what are you doing?"
"I just left some flowers and a note"
"You want to meet my family? They're all in the back yard"
"I better not, I just wanted to let you know that if you needed to talk or wanted some distraction I'll be around. Call me later tonight if you'd like."
As Kara thanked me, I began to feel inexplicable anxiety and expectancy.