Don~Juan

My first and second lovers were both named Juan.... neither was American, both relationships lasted seven years. In my previous post, I wrote about Juan Victoriano from the Philippines who was actually Juan II.

Juan Rafael (Juan I) entered my life at a most vulnerable time. I had survived a boating accident that took the life of my dearest friend David and as a young man in grief, the escape was alcohol; which led me to local Boston bars each nite, drinking until I was about to fall down. My friends, although keeping a watchful eye on me, did not dare intervene.

It was during one of those evenings that a young man sat next to me at the bar. He introduced himself as Juan but could not speak english. Fortunately, with two years of high school spanish and my fluent knowledge of french I could understand most of what he was saying and respond somewhat appropriately. Throughout our conversation, I continued to drink until finally when it was time to leave, I could hardly stand. Juan offered to escort me home. I woke up the next morning fully clothed to find him sleeping next to me. He stayed for seven years.

While learning about America, Juan introduced me to a culture rich in history, tradition and passion. My family adored him and his family, secure in the knowledge that their son had found happiness in America showered me with gifts of 18kt. gold. We travelled to Spain twice a year during that period and I continued to travel to Spain several times after the break-up.

We remain friends.