A small glass of Crown Royal sits in front of me, the amber liquid reflecting memories of a friend I lost this week. With him passes a part of myself.
So, here's to 20-year-old Bob. The Bob I met when we were in the Air Force in Hawai`i. An airman of the hard-partying 6002nd. The Bob whose spirit still resides in the Kailua house.
To Bob!
And here's to Surfer Bob. The Bob who was at home in the waves on anything from a boogieboard to a tanker. A true waterman of Hawai`i. The Bob whose spirit still awaits a big outside set at First Break.
To Bob!
Here's to Roommate Bob. The Bob who met me at the door with a bottle of Crown and our surfboards waxed when the Tsunami alert was blaring. One of the three musketeers of Fairway Villas. The Bob whose spirit still sits on the Lanai at the Penthouse.
To Bob!
A toast to Dart-throwing Bob. The Bob who was the ideal partner and the friendliest opponent. Half of a duo that once threw a perfect game of 301 - my 140 to open and his 161 to close. The Bob whose spirit still throws ton-eighties at Brandy's.
To Bob!
Here's to Bar-crawling Bob. The Bob who was once welcomed by name into a Keeaumoku Street bar by the gray-haired Korean proprietress; she made a group of drunk marines leave so that we could have a table. The official guide of the Waikiki Seamy Underbelly Tour. The Bob whose spirit still has a bottle of MGD in one hand and a wad of cash in the other.
To Bob!
Here's to Mainland Bob. The Bob who went off to seek his fortune far from the land of the lotus eaters. A productive member of American society. The Bob whose spirit is sinking birdie putts on the back nine.
To Bob!
And a last toast to you, Bob, my old friend. I cannot picture you without a smile on your face, and that puts one on mine. You helped define my 20s and kept the memories alive into our 50s. I'm glad we got back in touch these last few years and I'm sorry that the Hawai`i reunion will not happen this time around. You were a great friend and a great roommate.
Aloha e Bob!
