Micheal was a man about town, for sure. I can't recall how we met perhaps at one of the 'better-benefits' or something. I don't even recall seeking him out, he just showed up. It was always fun when he did, too. But don't expect to see him on Sunday night - that was his favorite night at the Saint.
One day when I was working in mid-town when he showed up to go for lunch. He hopped out of the elevator and asked, "Do you have a helmet?" I pointed to my Bike bicycle helmet, the one that Speed Racer might wear and he said, "That'll do ... c'mon!"
So I hopped on the back of his motorcycle, and he zipped us through traffic down to Soho to the How's Bayou Cafe. Burgers & fries and back to Mid-town in an hour. That's when I knew I wanted to get a motorcycle.
Michael Frary had been good friends with Michael Sklar. (It did seem to be the decade of Michael's.) Michael Sklar had just taken delivery of several hundred antique kimonos he had purchased in Japan when he died and Frary inherited them. I bought several of them from him together with some obis and corded belts.
Michael took up with Dr. Jim. I didn't much care for Jim, but Michael did. I suspected some domestic violence there. Michael's mother was an alcoholic and Jim could get pretty unlikeable after Happy Hour.
In the late 80's, Michael was getting sick and decided to return to Hawaii where his mother lived. He took Dr. Jim with him and I never heard from either of them.
Rest in peace, my friend.