When I first started dating my wife Susan, I was invited to spend Christmas with her family.
There was a long-standing tradition.
Frankie Jr., his oldest son, hired Steve to do snow removal.
We all graduated high school together in 1974.
Frankie was a real prankster in high school.
“So, Blanchon doesn’t want to see me?”
Just getting you out of class so we can all have a smoke together!"
Then he let loose with his signature laugh.
That’s who Frankie Jr. was, he did shit like that all the time.
Here’s the crew the night of my Bachelor Party (1979).
The admiral is playing the ukelele.
Frankie is on the Admiral’s immediate right next to Peter.
Front row L-R, Bobby, my cousin Mark, and Hap.
Top row L-R, Bobo, and J.K.
It started slow, and once we got going, we started drinking like there was no tomorrow.
I made it a point to tell Frankie about the tradition and that I had to leave by 11:30.
He barely acknowledged what I said, and he started pouring shots even faster.
He and Eddie weren’t doing any shots, just Steve and me.
When I saw it was getting late I told Frankie I had to leave real soon.
Who starts drinking at 10:00 a.m. on Christmas Day and misses a family gathering?
I asked Steve if he could still drive the truck and he said he was okay.
His house was only a mile away, what could possibly go wrong?
Steve didn’t stop, we went right to his house.
We did face plants onto the carpeted living room floor and slept through Christmas Day…
Looking back, I acted irresponsibly.
If I had a chance to change what happened would I?
Getting drunk at Frankie’s house on Christmas Day is a great memory, one I’ll always cherish.
Frankie (1957-1995)
Merry Christmas!
