I almost walked right into the Lions Den

late Sunday afternoon after the Bears game. As if it wasn't bad enough that I was physically present at Soldier Field to witness the Lions (no pun intended with the name of this post) cream the Bears, no, I had to almost walk (literally) right into him.

After the rather embarrassing display of football Dad, Steve and I hung out in the main parking lot and tailgated for another hour, killing time until the lot emptied out. Steve and I then decided to walk together part of the way to the subway/buses on Michigan Avenue, and split ways from Dad.

We shuffled over the criss crossing pedestrian walkway that ends up at 18th and Prairie, among some of the poshest condos and townhomes the South Loop has to offer. Prairie curves around a quaint tree-lined avenue lined with picture perfect beautiful homes. Steve and I took this route towards Michigan Avenue, chatting and completely oblivious to what was ahead.

As we got within 75 yards of a random street corner, I happened to look up and see a group of around 10-12 people my age standing around it talking. Of course I would usually pay no mind, but this was different.

I would recognize that face anywhere, even from the side. I caught a side view of one of the beer swillers hanging out on the corner. How could I not recognize him? Despite not physically laying eyes on him in about 5 years, I've know him since age 7 and can pick him out of a crowd anytime. My throat went dry.

"No, it can't be him" I thought to myself. I trained my vision on the first person to his immediate left and realized it was a fellow high school graduate of mine, and best friends with said guy. Oh no. Definite confirmation.

I suddenly gripped my brother's arm and hissed in his ear the danger we were about to encounter, and we quickly made a beeline across the street and continued walking on that side. I knew our behavior was so obvious- we didn't want to walk through them and at this point they all knew it. Question was, did they know it was me? Luckily Steve and I looked like we were wearing disguises. Steve still had his mustache that he grew out for his Ron Burgundy costume, complete with Aviators, and I had on a dark peacoat, a Bears baseball cap, and ginormous shades.

I tried not to let my feelings of nervousness wash over me as I trained my eyes to the ground and picked up the pace. Steve kept turning around and staring at them much to my dismay. I didn't want to give them any reason to suspect it was me.

"I can't even imagine what would have happened if I hadn't realized it was *** and we had walked right into that mess with him and all of his best friends from high school who all know me" I said. "I am 100% positive he would have said something utterly awful to me, especially since it was around a group of peers with no one there to mediate or say anything."

Steve didn't even blink an eye and uttered (quite seriously) "If he even said one negative thing towards you I would have jacked him in the face for sure. Without a doubt, and without thinking twice."

"Steve you realize that would be a really poor decision, not because you couldn't take him, but because maybe 6 other guys would immediately jump on you."

"Yeah whatever. I would take some swings at them too before I would hit the ground running."

I love my brother. But seriously, wow. Is this city not big enough for the two of us? I knew he moved out here but I never thought I would really run into him, especially at such a bizarre location. He is one of two men in the world whose physical presence makes me break out in cold sweats and feel ridden with anxiety. It's just so weird to know that someone for sure utterly hates me and pretty much would wish harm upon me, even though I don't feel the same way about him. This is something one might assume would come up as a result of a bad relationship, or something romantic in nature but nothing like that ever happened between us and this hatred/fear has nothing to do with that at all. The whole experience really shook me up. I hope I never run into him again.