Oskie...our Friend

Don't really know what made former Fred's News patrons, the Wilcox family pop into my mind, but it did, everything happening for a reason. Perhaps it was a a documentary on deforestation of the rain forest or maybe the logging truck, with the flat tire parked alongside the interstate.  Whatever the thought process, we will go for it. Oskie Wilcox, an old bachelor, now deceased,was the son of Kenyon and Gwen Wilcox.  Charles Oscar, hence the nickname Oskie, a childhood friend of the Egg-Nazi, was very much a gentle-spirited man.  Although he had a shy nature about him, listening to him talk, reminiscing about the village of Baltic, the Scotland Road area, also the location of the family business, Wilcox Sawmill, he seemed much older than his years.  There were times we'd see Oskie regularly, then maybe he'd stay away for a stretch, whatever the reason, none ever offered, he always seemed to pick up the conversation where he had left off on the previous visit.  As his parents aged, Oskie would bring them to the restaurant a few times a week for lunch.  Dad, Kenyon, seemed to have the same nature as Oskie, but could easily fire up the conversation at a moments notice.  He too enjoyed visiting with the older gentleman that congregated soon after the lunch rush was over, although he never overstayed his welcome.

Mr. Bill having grown up on Scotland Road in Norwich, just a short distance from the Village of Baltic, enjoyed Oskie's memories.  Although his conversations were not limited to the past, his up-to-date versions, not delivered with the same twinkle in the eye.  The Egg-Nazi recalls Oskie's high school years, yes, there was a love of his life, whatever the reason, the courtship and romance ceased, leaving Oskie a lonely and perhaps slightly bitter young man.  As the years progressed, that loneliness seemed to consume him, probably the reason he'd stay away for a period of time.  When he would return, nothing seeemed amiss, conversations continued, tidbits of gossip concerning his and the Egg-Nazi's mutual friends, yet he always returned with less of a zest for life and more distant in nature, sitting for longer quiet periods, joining a conversation  only if prodded.

His memory, outstanding!  A birthday never passed without Oskie arriving within a week prior to Mr. Bill's or my birthday.  I once asked him how he remembered, although I understood why he remembered Mr. Bill, they had spent a lifetime together.  As for mine,  I only knew him because of Mr. Bill, yet when I approached him asking, "how do you remember my birthday?", his simple yet heartfelt reply, "Billy has always been my friend and the two of you are a pair, so that makes you my friend as well.  I never forget my friends!"  he then blushed, excused himself and left. 

As the years marched by, his parents passed away, Oskie's depression and zest for life waned.  We saw him less, when we did, it was painful.  He cared little for his own life, stories of the past no longer seemed to lift his spirits.......his health not the best, because of his own lack of interest, diabetes ravaging his body, Oskie passed away much too soon.  We miss him, his colorful memories, twinkling eyes and wonderful friendship.  Each year as our birthdays approach, it seems something reminds us of our friend Oskie.....perhaps it is his way of letting us know........once a friend, always a friend,  the friendship continue!