You've Got a Friend

28 years.  28 years is how long it took for me to be able to listen to James Taylor, ANY James Taylor song, without wanting to vomit.  My perp drove a "heavy chevy" poop brown color (how fitting for such a BLEEP) and he would, ENDLESSLY, play James Taylor 8-tracks (long before mp3's, CD's and even cassette tapes, for you young pups...Google it). 

I remember shopping in the mall in my hometown, around age 16, and had been shopping in Contempo for hours and finally was in line to pay, and a James Taylor song came on the store's overhead music system - and I had to dump all the clothes and get the hell out of there!  This is only one story of many, like the time that I was in my boyfriend's car in the back seat, with his parents driving, and had to gag down the strength for an hour drive to the beach, while they listened to "James Taylor Greatest Hits"...I mean, how to even begin to explain to them why I needed it TURNED OFF!  So, I said nothing, and ate nothing that day, fearing that the ride home would be much like the ride there - it was.

I'm fine now, in fact James Taylor and I...we're buds!  Even spending time together some mornings on my iPod, my friend James Taylor and I.  I kinda feel like, James and I, we got the last laugh.  His distinguishable voice carries me to a place of humor now, using his words from his famous song "You've Got a Friend"...

"People can be so cold
They'll hurt and desert you
Well they'll take your soul if you let them
Oh but don't let them"

Don't Let Them...DON'T LET THEM...hmmm.  I don't really remember giving my perp permission to take ANYthing from me, especially my soul!  If only I could have heard and taken in James' words 28 years ago, then maybe pieces of my soul wouldn't have been taken.  But, ya know what, I found them and took them BACK!  So, yeah, James, my buddy and I, bob our heads with a nod and a smile to the rhythm of peace on the open road {here}.  Victim - 1  Perp - 0...not that I'm keeping score, but I just sure do like knowing that I overcame the urge to hurl hot dogs.  And now, I DON'T LET THEM, or anyone, soul-snatch again!