Introducing Adam

My first impression of Adam was his bright green shirt.  He worked in the key department early this year.  He was very friendly, funny, and musical.  He always harmonized with the radio in the office.  During Adam's short tenure in the key department, he had major run-ins with the man under the stairs and Said Khan.  Some people work here for years without that sort of upheaval.  After some digging, we found that despite our geographical differences, we had friends in common, from Las Cruces, no less. 

My best memory of Adam is one day in a span of ten. 

Adam embarked on that seemingly impossible ten-day-water-lemon-juice-maple-syrup-cayenne-pepper regimen.  The first few days were a little hazy for him, but I have to hand it to Adam for staying on his feet.  He was also surprisingly candid about the real effects of the diet.  You gotta appreciate truth, man.  Smack in the middle of this fast, St. Patrick's Day arrived.  Sheppy and I got an early start at the river, and worked our way back up to Lakeview for a mid-morning Guiness at Lensly's.  Since my office was right there, we decided to bring the crew some gifts from CVS.  We shopped in the 25-cent Little Debbie bin for sugary treats.  We arrived in the heat of a phone rush, and we began doling out Swiss Rolls, Zebra Cakes, and Brownies.  Jessica cheered, Mark laughed, and Adam bowed his head.  I knew the drill.  When you are on a shitty diet, everybody brings in a birthday cake.  I looked at him, and he would not lift his head.  "Adam?"  No eye contact. "You don't think we forgot to bring you a present."  I handed him a bottle of cayenne pepper, and he chuckled.  It was no oatmeal cake, but I think he appreciated it. 

Throughout the day, Sheppy and I hit several Lakeview establishments.  The pub that used to be the charming Reflections was one stop.  As we chatted the afternoon away, a familiar face passed by.  It was Adam.  He had just gotten off work, but per his gastronomic situation, we resisted the urge to invite him in for a brew.  We trudged on.  Once it was time to soak up some Guiness, we took a table at the Melrose Diner.  After having a few sips of chicken soup, we peered through the window.  There was Adam.  Walking his dogs.  We just couldn't get away from each other.  Surely simply silly to Adam, it was a mildly embarrassing experience for Sheppy and me.  He never gave me any trouble about it. 

Glad we put all those rufees in the cayenne.