Hit the Road Jack

Hello, my friends, it has been a long time. Several of you have asked me to start posting again. Unfortunately, today's post will be a sad one.
I have always considered myself blessed because I have 2 best friends, Charles Sheperd and Eric Steingraeber. I have only once had to pick one ahead of the other and that was for Best Man at my wedding, Eric. I wished I could have named them both. Charles made up for it by introducing himself as the lover I left to marry ma chere.
To be sure, our relationship never went THAT far. But I can assure you, I loved him deeply. Chuck and I met at UW-Milwaukee. We were both in our first freshman year. Since we lived relatively close to each other, Chuck would give me rides to and from school. We would race down Capital Drive in the far right lane or later, for reasoning only Chuck could comprehend, through rush hour traffic downtown. "The traffic is better on the expressway," he would reason." It only comes at you from ahead and behind."
Those years would include early morning racquetball sessions and late nights on North Ave, Water Street and the 3rd Ward. Six foot five is very easy to find in a bar. "Never leave your wingman." Though, he made a great target on the racquetball court. Oi, the welts on his back and legs. Not to worry, he knew how to serve them back as well.
We were two more 2nd Floor Lounge rats majoring in Time Mismanagement and Space Occupation.
"It is better to be pissed off than pissed on...just ask Chuck."
The Road Runner Biff party.
11 PM Chicago road trips from RCs.
10 PM Burrito runs to Madison.
"Gurgles and Slash" at Summerfest. Sting, Bruce Hornsby, Indigo Girls, Kenny Loggins, Muddy Waters, Beach Boys, Pat McCurdy "Sex & Beer", Comedy Sportz.
Dancing at Park Avenue.
Smurfs at Arts.
Rumpleminz...well anywhere.
"Kindly remove the dart from my thigh."
Wild Turkey Night - 5 bars, 22 years, countless bottles of Wild Turkey and the best friends time can manage.
Chuck helped me get my driver's license. We sped from UW to the old Fond du Lac Driver's Center in 15 minutes laughing the whole time at the great irony. That same car went airborne over the tracks in Waukesha with Chuck at the wheel and me hanging on for dear life.
The Tercel, "starts with 'T', ends in 'LOVE'."
It was that car that started the challenge of the Bolero. Chuck wanted to prove that we could make it from UW to his house in one playing of the Bolero, 15 minutes and 40 seconds. He eventually pulled it off. We later insisted that one can get anywhere in Milwaukee in one Bolero. Try it!
Chuck was with me when ma chere and I started "going out".
I was with Chuck the day his mother died.
Chuck was with me on my wedding day.
Chuck and his father opened their home to me so I could finish college while ma chere and T1 remained with her parents. Their graciousness allowed me to get my degree and keep an impossible UPS work schedule.
I was with Chuck the day he met his beautiful wife. We both had a good feeling about her. I am so glad for their blessed union. I was honored to be in their wedding party.
God gave me the privilege of having Chuck in my life. My life is so much richer because of him. Charles died today, on Father's Day. He was playing with his precious daughters when he passed out from a blood clot in his lungs. He never fully recovered.
Rest in peace, Chuck, you will be missed.