CRAIG EDWARD KELSO, Olga

*this is a journal entry from a previous workplace. 

So, uh, yeah. It’s about time I get around to writing about her.

I have before, but not to this extent. And, usually, I couch my writing of her in round about terms and phrases.

No more.

I will miss her, THAT much is for sure.

We’ve only been together a few months, and we met at work. She is married, so don’t panic. Nothing going on but the rent, fool. Hahahahaha.

She is, BY FAR, my best friend at work.

She’s leaving. I am heart broken. Sure am.

She is collegial when others are ruthless. She is sensitive when others are coarse. She is a lady at all times. She looks out for me.

I knew we were becoming friends when she brought me a music CD, complete with cover art made from her printer. The music is from Olga Tanon. Caro wanted to share her love of Olga with me. I was so very flattered. Judging by the cover art, I knew, JUST KNEW, I was going to hate it. Sure did. Hahahahaha.

Caro actually RAN up to me the next day. She insisted I keep the CD, refusing to take it back when I attempted a handoff. She wanted to know what I thought of Olga.

Ugh.

I just gave it to her straight. I told her it was indulgent and derivative, and that the “music” was a waste of everyone’s time.

She gave me a HUGE hug, and I was a little embarrassed at its intimacy. We’d never really done that before. Hahaha. Damn, she smells great. Hahahahaha.

I was confused. I honestly thought she was going to yell at me for not liking Olga, for HATING Olga. Hahahaha. Nope.

This why I lub you! You always say your feel! Caro explained.

She asked to borrow my iPod for the night. I figured since I shit on her favorite artist of all time, I owed her.

When she returned my iPod, she handed it over with a smile.

You craw-zy! she yelled. Craw-zy! And then she laughed and laughed. I asked her what she listened to, and she said she put it on shuffle. Up came everything from opera to rap to klezmer to death metal. She thought that was interesting. She also was very curious about all the lectures on economics I had stashed away.

Before she left, she gave me her locker. This is a very, VERY coveted spot. I can now put my work related things in a safe place, and I don’t have to carry as much with me back and forth. She gave me her lock and key as well.

On her last day, it rained. And where we usually have lunch I noticed was a little wet and nasty. But I waited for her anyway. Out she came, holding an extra jacket. She brought it for me because she knew I didn’t ever bring one to work. She gave it to me. For keeps.

Oh, Caro. It’s not the same without you.

All I have to remember you is that god-awful CD, which I’ve been playing loudly to annoy my neighbors. I am starting to like it ... 

And I mean it.

*

Craig Edward Kelso is the author of Anarcho-Capitalism (2014), a primer on the philosophy of peaceful, stateless cooperation. His curriculum vitae include a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from San Diego State University, and a Post-Baccalaureate secondary education credential in both Social Science and English Language Arts. Kelso taught for nearly a decade in the American public school system, and was voted by colleagues Teacher of the Year, twice in his short tenure, earning numerous accolades from chambers of commerce, mayors, state assembly persons, governors, congresspersons, senators, and even Wal-Mart. Currently he struggles to earn an opportunity to be employed, working as a laborer, dishwasher. He is deliriously happily married to Myra Kelso, living in Southern California with their adorable children. 

checalaloskelsos@gmail.com