Dear Chris
I
am floored.
I
am reeling.
What happened?
Remember
Stevie? Remember how disturbed I’d been as witness to him dressed
as Stevie Nicks? He was truly frightening in drag; blond wig
and the fawn swede high-heeled boots he was so proud of. He’d been having a bad night until
he blew a line of coke in the toilets at the Queen's Ball.
We
talked a lot about Stevie that night and how he died. Remember we had been
thrown by his calculated subterfuge. We thought his fog had lifted and he was pursuing his holiday planning with the manic
fervour he was known for.
He never intended to travel.
We
were only just talking about your holidays too. It had been so hard for you caring
for, and then losing your folks, running your businesses, your farm, and just getting
on. You seemed in a good place. Like for
the first time in a long time, you were doing something for you.
You
made such a tremendous mark in your time here. You know how much I respected
your skills. You were always so generous
with your advice and encouragement.
Thank
you for the loan of those cake containers! How on earth would I have
transported one hundred fancy cupcakes to Amy and Andy’s wedding without
you! And you were so complimentary about
the pretty cake I saved for you. I was embarrassed.
OMG,
your raspberry clouds! Richard and I were totally addicted to those. And when
you took them off the menu you offered to make us our own personal supply! I just couldn't.
I
remember setting you up big time. There we were talking food and restaurants as
was our want. I loaded up that
conversation and you fell right in and told me what you REALLY thought of a few
of Hobart’s finer restaurants. Hey I agreed with you. But I did take advantage
of your drunkenness.
Your
foodie legacy in Hobart: Mit Zitrone will never be forgotten, Choux Shop and of
course, Jackman.
I
went passed my local today and I just couldn’t believe it was business as usual. I
couldn’t bear to see people in there going about things as normal.
Put
the closed sign up. Leave the ovens turned off. Lay flowers at the door.
I
hate this is another casualty for the LGBTI community. And I’m thinking about
the notion of PRIDE and tolerance, and how far we have to go.
And
I’m thinking that it’s another loss to our Aboriginal community too.
I’m
angry.
I’m
sad.
I am so sorry.
Your
amazing talent, generosity and humour, I will greatly miss.
