Melissa Joan Hart was the star of “Sabrina the Teenage Witch“, from 1996 to 2003. These years coincided with my son Jared’s adolescence. Like many boys of that age, Jared had a crush on the blonde star.
In 2007 my daughter, Alicia, son-in-law and granddaughter, moved to Darien CT. This was not to far from Westport CT, where Melissa Joan Hart and her family were then living. While checking out at a department store, Alicia recognizes Melissa Joan Hart and her child in front of her. Recalling her brother’s adolescent crush, she immediately calls him. She explains that Melissa Joan Hart is in front of her in a check out line. Jared asks her to let him say hello, ask for an autograph, anything. She denies the requests, wherein Jared pleads, please, say hello, let me say hello, ask for an autograph, anything. Alicia is steadfast in her refusal and the opportunity passes.
Fast forward a few years, Jared is living in Nashville, Alicia, still in Darien, now with two children. Alicia and her husband are country music fans, especially when it comes to Brad Paisley. He bears a striking resemblance to her husband, Jamie, so much, they could easily be mistaken for brothers, if not twins. They have attended a few of his concerts, and have become big fans.
Jared, in his early twenties, like many of his generation, has a well developed appreciation of coffee and coffee shops. In Nashville, his regular spot is Crema, an extremely popular coffee shop, south of downtown Nashville on Hermitage Avenue. He is a regular and while there has had the good fortune to meet a few musicians. The shop, like most, has community tables and Jared has found the people he has met there, friendly and not opposed to conversation. Big names have included Tim McGraw and his band, John Prine and his wife Fiona and one other, Brad Paisley.
Sitting across from the mega country star, his sister’s favorite artist, he though to reach out to Alicia.
He says, “You’re not going to believe who is sitting at my table in Crema. Brad Paisley!!”
Alicia says, “Holy hell, take a picture, get his autograph, let me say hello“.
Jared, no doubt with a self satisfying smirk on his face, replies, “Ahh, …….remember Melissa Joan Hart? not happening”, and silently disconnects the call.
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