Bohemian Cinema By Jonathan Pacheco

A Familiar Face

Tags: Harry Potter, Personal, IMAX, Friends

I sat in line for the 8:15 IMAX showing of the latest Harry Potter film. My group was second in line, so I passed the time by reading some of the seventh book. As people continued to line up behind us, I saw a familiar face—or at least I thought I did. Was that really her? It sure looked like it. I tried to sneak peeks down the line without being too obvious. That has to be her. I had almost instinctively called out her name, but I’ve been known to make mistakes in the past.

My hair is longer and there’s a little more of it on my face but I’m still the same old Me, so she had to have recognized me. We take our seats in the center of the auditorium and her group sits a few seats down. They decide to move, but before they do, I recognize her toes (no, I’m not creepy).

Harry Potter begins and ends. We walk out and I know she’s nearby. I stop to tell a few things to my brother and I see her getting into her car, which we happen to be standing right in front of. She gets in and leaves. I leave.

What is it about people that makes us so afraid of being embarrassed? Honestly, a little effort from me, a simple, “Do I know you?” Perhaps a mention of my name. The worst that could happen is that some total strangers make fun of me for a few minutes because of an honest mistake. But there’s also the possibility that an old friendship that faded away a few years ago could be revived. No, I’m not looking to talk to the friend every night and tell each other our secrets, but this was a person I ate lunch with every day at high school. I heard her boyfriend problems. I had a Thanksgiving meal with her and her family one year. She lent me $20 bucks at school one time when I forgot my money at home. And I never paid her back.

But anyway, Sterling Morriss (isn’t there an Erica somewhere in there?), this is Jonathan Pacheco saying I’m sorry I was too self-conscious to say hello to an old friend. I hope you forgive me.

P.S. - The duel at the end of Order of the Phoenix is hot in 3D, but you already knew that.