SPURFHEAD

On Feb. 11^th, 1966, my little brother, Glen Aaron Jones was born. I can remember the day like it was yesterday, even though I was still four, going on five years old. My Dad, Quintin and myself, had dinner next door at Frank and Carol’s house. I remember having a baked potato for dinner, and Frank showing us his new Polaroid camera, which took pictures, and then magically spit out the picture and it developed right in front of your eyes... It was a miracle.

My parents have on 8mm-movie film the day Glen came home from the hospital. I got to hold him first. This made Quintin so jealous and so mad, he moved to the furthest corner of the couch, pouted his lip, crossed his arms across his chest in protest, and stayed that way, emotionally, for the next 35 years. I swear, it set into motion Quintin’s actions towards Glen and myself... for the next 35 years.

I thought Glen was the best gift that God had ever given to me. I took him in like he was mine, and protected him from the day he was born. I had to. Quintin had become very mean and spiteful when it came to Glen, would always pick on him every chance he got, so I would step in and pick on Quintin. This went on until Glen was in High School, until I moved out of the house. There were times on Lancero St., when Quintin would be picking on Glen that I’d chase him down the hallway to beat him up, and he would run and hide in the bathroom, staying in there forever sometimes, or until my parents got home, which ever came first. My cousin Becky chose hot wheel tracks to whip Quintin’s butt when he got out of control when she was babysitting. My parents, on the other hand, had a special wooden paddle that hung on the side of the high chair that read: “For the cute little Dear with the Bare Behind”, (it had a picture of a deer running from a bear) ... ‘specially for whipping asses. Did they use it? All the Time..!!!

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Now, this is the moment, of all moments, that I remember above all else. This is probably my “all-time favorite moment” in my whole life... This was IT... Steven walks through the backdoor of the diner, stops, signs a couple of autographs at the table next to ours, smiles, turns, bends down a bit, as you would in a curtsy, puts out his hand and says “Miss Karen Jones, I have heard so much about you... My Name is Steven Tyler”. I almost died. My heart was in my throat. I played it cool though, shook his hand, smiled and said, “Nice to meet you Mr. Tyler, would you like to join us for lunch?” He said something in return like “Why, Yes... I would”. I know it sounds a bit theatrical, but that’s really how Steven is. He sat for a minute; they all talked very quickly about some meeting they needed to attend. The boys were all talking business for a bit, and then Brad and Steven left... Maybe Keith too... I can’t remember. I stayed and ate a little, talked shop with Gene, since he was the photographer. After lunch, I went to Gene’s room and he showed me his gear. He later gave me a lens of his. He said he had an extra... it was a 50mm, and I didn’t have one. It was a Nikon too, so I didn’t have to get a new mount. About that time, I decided to go do a little shopping with the money Bob had given me from John, and bought a new skirt and belt.By the time I got back, it was time to get ready for the show. Keith kind of became my “body guard”. He made sure I was in the right place at the right time. He made sure all of my needs were met, and that I was having a really good time. Skid Row was opening for the band. They were all hanging out backstage, doing interviews and such. Aerosmith had a “Meet and Greet” before the show, and Keith said I should get a poster signed too. He made sure everyone signed it, and the funniest thing happened because of the signing of that thing. The guys were in their dressing room...