I, Too, Remember John

By Bruce Handy/Glynis Sweeny

That new book about knowing John Kennedy Jr. got me thinking again about my own relationship with John. Our first encounter took place--was it really that long ago?--in the mid-1980s at an off-Broadway play. My girlfriend, who went to Brown with John but didn't know him, pointed him out in the audience. I couldn't see him, though. Maybe the angle was bad.

I was sure I had spotted John a few months later in Central Park, but it turned out to be just some guy. Still, I debated telling people I HAD seen John, for the sake of a good story.

Then there was the day John flunked his bar exam. I sensed--well, "guessed" is probably more accurate--that John was embarrassed but that he also enjoyed being called a hunk. At least I know I would have.

To be honest, I never saw the point of George. But I know John cared deeply about the magazine because, really, why else would he have done it? Plus I think I read that somewhere.

I'll never forget the night I finally "met" John. My wife and I were at a big literary benefit, and we knew somebody at John's table. I thought to myself, "In person, he looks just like his pictures!" I can't say I know what John was thinking, though, because we didn't actually talk.

On the night John died, as his plane took off into that gray, fateful sky... Well, I can't really remember what I was doing. Probably watching TV. But when I think of all John and I shared, all we went through together, I realize he was like a third cousin to me or maybe an ex-stepmother's nephew. I hope I've honored that.