My friend Danny

I first met Danny when he was about 8 or 9. I was running a bar and he used to come there with his grandparents, they were regulars and the only people that he cared about, apart from his brothers and his parents who had recently split. I could tell from the first time that I met him that Danny was different to other kids, he reminded me of someone that I knew, he was deep and sensitive, had a good heart, but deep down he was wondering why bad things were happening to him, he was hurting. He trusted no one, he didnt care if PEOPLE liked him or not and went out of his way to cause mischeif. I thought he was funny, some PEOPLE thought he was a loose cannon and that he was destined to end up in big trouble somewhere along the line.

The persona he chose to display to most PEOPLE was one of defiant, blatant and chaotic disrespect. He really didn't give a shit what anyone said or thought about him and revelled in the mayhem and havoc that he caused.

Somewhere along the line, he realised that I seen him for who he was, but he had to test it first. I was clearing up glasses and he walked around the counter, picked up a can of coke and threw it in my face. My gut reaction was to pick up another can of coke and fire it in his face. He disappeared for the rest of the evening, I wondered if he would ever realise what that gesture meant. Thankfully he did... he realised that I was telling him - we are on a level kid, I see you for who you are, I see and feel your pain and do you know what, if you just let me in I could be a good friend to you.

Furthermore, I dont give a toss about what everyone else says about you and you know what they say dont you Danny? Some PEOPLE say you are a pain in the arse, some PEOPLE say they dont like you, some PEOPLE hate that you say exactly what is on your mind and some PEOPLE dont like it when you show no respect (despite the fact that they would never show it to you). At the time the same PEOPLE were saying the same about ME.

Our friendship took a long time to develop after that, he tested me every chance he got, I tried to 'get in' every chance I got. It took alot of time for him to truly trust and accept me as a friend. I was an adult with a son almost the same age as him.

By the time he was 12 he was letting me in. One evening after a late night drinking session at the bar, I said to him: Danny after everyone is gone how about me and you go to the park and play on the swings? He looked at me as if to say YOU ARE MAD but he liked the idea of going to the park in the middle of the night, he would!

We had a few hours playing on the swings and even seen one of the locals on his way to work at around 5.30 before I made a pact with Danny. I knew I was going to be leaving my job soon and that it was unlikely that I would be around for him to annoy anymore, so I said, RIGHT we are going to meet in this park on your 18th Birthday, we are going to have a drink together and remember this night, the night that we became friends for life.

I left the bar soon after and lost touch with Danny, although I always asked about him and heard that at 15 he got someone pregnant. We connected on facebook and I talk to him every now and then but hadnt seen him for a few years until the other week. He has turned into a handsome and lovely young man. I could tell when he came in that he was pleased to see me, and I was so happy to see him. He waited for me to say - our date is still on you know - I think he thought I forgot. AS IF.

So, this year on September 18th, Danny and I will go to an off license as soon as it gets dark, get some beer and take a trip to that same park to celebrate his 18th birthday together, and remember the day that the two of us became friends for life. Whatever he is and whatever he becomes, I know that we will always be friends.

I told you I know some awesome PEOPLE. I just sent this to Danny before I posted it and he said - thats very good - and TRUE.