My friend Dennis

My friend Dennis was a weird guy. Not really the type I would normally hang out with, but he just seemed to fit in. He was short, stocky, rather disgusting at times, but had endearing qualitities that made him instantly likeable. Our group of friends connected in High School, and there were five of us that were basically inseparable.

Dennis had many loves in his life, some would consider them frivolous: video games, pretty girls, the Miami Dolphins, and Van Halen, to name a few. He would call them essential. He was so irritating that it made you want to give him a hug.

He moved to Florida almost 10 years ago now, and subsequently to Georgia, but whenever we'd talk on the phone, or one of us would make the trip, it was like no time had passed. Whenever those of us in Canada would get together, we would always reflect on the past antics of Dennis. Even as some of us got married and started having kids, Dennis was not only in another country, but seemingly a different set of circumstances.

He had a couple girlfriends, but no serious relationships. He worked in construction, while most of us were professionals. We all came from relatively stable homes, where his dad was in prison and mom was a raving bitch who wanted nothing to do with him.

The last time he was here, we got a picture of my wife, and our good friend, who were both about 7 months pregnant, and Dennis, all sitting on the sofa exposing their bellies. He was just that kind of guy.

He was one of my best friends.

Dennis was killed in a car accident on Saturday, age 31.

None of us here found out until last night (Dennis' brother was going through the names on Dennis' cell phone, and called my other friend to let him know what had happend). The memorial service was yesterday in Georgia, and I feel like none of the people who really loved him were there for it.