Divided

The great divide aka state line

I’m from Cleveland. I mean “what’s better: Whitmore’s or Hotsauce Williams?” Cleveland. Cedar Hill, University Circle, Mentor Headlands Cleveland. Bedford vs Maple Hts. Cleveland. Sly man’s Deli Cleveland. Randall Park Mall Cleveland. The place made me who I am. Like literally, I’m nothing without Cleveland.The Plain Dealer Cleveland.  My parents are there; grandparents and siblings too. My first love, first heartbreak. All from the “mistake on the lake”. Graduated from Myers University (now Chancellor) and worked at Stouffer’s. Nobody I know really talks like Steve Harvey, and Al Fatz and Chip That Ripper are hometown heroes just as much as Kid Cudi and Bizzy Bone are. We roller skate, and if you play ball you need to make your way to “The Creek”. My dream job has always been to work for the Cleveland Cavs, and I saw my dad kick the couch more than a few times as the Browns found new and inventive ways to lose close games.

Lately though, I’ve been feeling divided. Maybe conflicted is a better term to use. You see, for the last 8 years I have lived in Indianapolis. Binford to Fall Creek to Meridian Indianapolis. Long’s Donuts Indianapolis. 38th Street Indianapolis. King Ribs Indianapolis (my boys from Cleveland weren’t impressed with Indy’s version of “BBQ” though).  The Indy Star Indianapolis. Peyton Manning and Reggie Miller Indianapolis. My wife is from here and her family, who are great, are here too. I was able to get a great job and a nice house out here. I need to confess… I got Pacers season tickets. I really like living here. Its clean. Its slower paced. A lot of people I’ve met are genuinely nice. What’s a man to do? I been “away from home” so long that I can honestly say that this strange land IS “HOME”… family looks at me like a traitor. How could I root for ANYONE against the Cavs!?!? They really want to know, and I don’t know what to tell them. I’m a fiercely loyal person, but I switched sides. I been here almost a decade and my family (not extended but intimate) likes it here, not to mention my house and job that aren’t available in Northeast Ohio.  I guess what I’m trying to say is home IS where your heart is, but who’s to say say your heart can’t be divided? I love Indianapolis truly and dearly, but in the immortal words of Kid Cudi “Cleveland Is The Reason”…

Don’t judge me…

Mr. H
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