I just found out horrible news that an old coworker of mine has passed away. It's hard to describe how I feel right now. It's difficult because we had a rocky relationship, but I'm so happy to know that we left on really good terms.
Charles was an old hippie, he was spunky, stubborn, eccentric, hilarious, opinionated, he pushed people's buttons, he cursed like a sailor, he was knowledgable about so much, he had a harsh exterior sometimes. We disagreed on nearly everything, and at times we had some tiffs...he had a complicated relationship with a lot of people. (He was well aware of it). But just when you least expected it, he was sweet, caring, and kind. And he lit up when he talked about his grandkids.
The last time I saw Charles was the day I got laid off, March of '10. He was coming in for his shift, he had a banana of course, because he was always eating one. Or drinking a coffee milkshake from the cafe. He clocked in and I had my box of things, walking toward the door. I told him I was laid off, and he was shocked. His reaction has always stuck with me, because he was genuinely upset, and said, "Rhonnie! I feel like I'm going to cry!" And then of course was angry, and cursed out the idiots at corporate. And he said he would miss working with me.
I'm so glad I have the memory of telling him how great it was working with him, thanking him for being so sweet about my being let go, and letting him know that I'd miss him. I really did know that I would miss him, he being such a crazy character.
I know the next time I go into that bookstore I'm going to expect him to be there, with a huge stack of magazines, shuffling to the section.
Charles touched people's lives, whether he was making people laugh or helping them find a book or talking about the famous authors he's met, he's left a mark with a lot of people.
I pray for his family and friends and those who knew him.
RIP Charles! You'll be missed by many!
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