Billy Traylor

Today, I am going to write about my dear, darling friend Billy Traylor. When speaking of him, I also call him “Billy Baby”! And he calls me “Leshita”. Yes, you read that correctly! When he and I worked at Super Kmart together on Millerville Lane in Baton Rouge, we had this loud, rough, and gruff supervisor. I forget her name (Help me here, Billy!). She had long gray curls…oh it wasn’t a pretty site! Another thing I remember about her is that she had a daughter (who looked a lot like her) that she just thought was a walking doll! Gross! Anyway, she always screwed up everyone’s name! The only one she probably didn’t screw up was Billy’s because it is well, BILLY! How hard is it? Well, no matter how many times I corrected her, she never got it right. She would say “Leteeesha”, “Latosha”, “Latrisha”, etc. The one she said last was “Leshita”…and that is the one that stuck in her head was “Leshita”. So, of course, Billy thought that was hilarious! Needless to say, I didn’t think it was very funny! But now, I embrace it. That is Billy’s personal nickname for me. He is the ONLY one I’d let call me that! So, I am Leshita, and he is Billy Baby. And we are quite a pair!

He and I met in high school – 9th grade, I believe (my memory is just horrible). All I know is that from the moment we met, my life was FOREVER changed. For the first time ever, I knew I had a friend who understood me, listened to me without judgment, liked me for who I was, intrigued me, challenged me, explained things with such patience, encouraged me, appreciated my ideas, brought me into a whole new world that I was never open to – music, language, science, etc, made me laugh till my sides hurt, made me feel so important, and finally, made me feel so loved. I liked him when I first met him, and I wanted to get to know him better. And today, I cannot imagine my life without him. In high school, we spent a lot of time together. It was easy. We attended Denham Springs High School in Denham Springs, Louisiana (a fish bowl). Then our adult lives began. We went on separate paths. He was in Natchitoches, Louisiana when I was in Hammond, Louisiana. He was in Natchitoches, Louisiana when I was in Dallas. Then he moved to New Orleans, Louisiana with me still in Dallas. Then, finally, a few years ago, he moved to Dallas too. Because of school, work, and other stuff, we did not get together near as often as we would’ve liked. But having him here gave me such comfort. I knew I could call him in the middle of the night…he would talk to me or do whatever else I needed. He was someone I could count on – always. Then, last year, he moved to Indiana to continue his schooling. And of course, I am still in Dallas. Being away from him is downright sucky, but when we do talk, I feel like he is sitting right in front of me. It isn’t ever awkward or inconvenient. A phone call from Billy makes a bad day better and a good day great! He isn’t one of those types that is always full of sunshine…you know those types. If you said, “My toe nail fell off”, they would say, “That works out cause you hated clipping them anyway!” Those people drive me mad. The fact that Billy is so honest – and unintentionally funny in the process – is exactly what I need.


So many friends stay “friends” solely because they have history (going back to childhood or adolescence). That is nice and all, but most of the time, that gets old pretty fast…or even if it doesn’t get old, life just isn’t kind enough to offer opportunities to maintain old friendships like you want to. It takes a lot from both parties to make it work – interest, effort, and desire to stay connected. Well, Billy and I have history…and over the years, we’ve grown together. In so many ways, he is like that same guy I met 14 years ago….and in so many ways, he definitely isn’t! I hope he would say the same about me.


Billy called me today. That is what motivated me to make my entire blog about him. For the record, when I answer the phone, he’s the only person (besides Ray) can say, “Is this Shneegua?!” in a funny voice that doesn’t freak me out! But like Ray, he isn’t ever slick enough to fool me! Very often, I think of Billy and wonder how he is. Not often enough, we visit and catch up – on the phone, through email, and when we are lucky, in person. Since he is in Indiana and stays so busy and I am in Dallas and stay just as busy, I do not know when we’ll see each other again. I guess it’ll take me having a little one! ;) And let me say it so everyone reads it: BILLY, YOU BETTER COME TO OUR BABY SHOWER AND TO MEET OUR BABY WHEN THAT TIME COMES! NO EXCUSES! PERIOD!

Well, since I’m doing for the record type talking, I’ll do some more! This is for everyone that will outlive me! Years ago, I made Billy promise that he would play Fur Elise at my burial service. I know it freaks some of you out that I’m speaking of this at 27 years old, but Billy is used to it! WHAT I’M ASKING EVERYONE TO DO IS HOLD BILLY TO IT! ACCEPT NO EXCUSES! I DON’T CARE IF HE IS HANDICAPPED WITH ARTHRITIS! GIVE HIM SOME BENGAY OR ICY HOT OR SOMETHING AND MAKE HIM DO IT! Actually, those of you will have already passed can help me too! If Billy makes some excuse as to why he can’t play Fur Elise at my service, we’ll band together and haunt him for the rest of his life! Okay, Billy, I’ll back off for now! Just play the damn song for me and no one gets hurt, OKAY?! (For those of you who are freaked out, it’s okay. I’m joking! For those of you who think I’m weird, live a little, would you?!)

And one more thing for the record! I love Billy like mad. He is everything and more a friend could ever be. I know my friends understand that Billy and I are just platonic. However, I’m sure those of you that knew Ray before me might think this sounds a little fishy and might even feel bad for Ray, but don’t! Ray is my husband – my love, my partner, my everything! Billy and Ray know each other…and really like each other. As a matter of fact, when they get on some topics of conversation, I lose interest and have even been known to fall asleep!

In conclusion, I will say again that my world is better because Billy is in it. :)