On my dad’s side of the family, I have 6 cousins. Two of them are brothers whom I spent a LOT of time with, as their parents are my quasi aunt and uncle, plus godparents. I say quasi because technically my dad and uncle are actual first cousins but they grew up like brothers…so I always knew my uncle Richie as my uncle and not my 2nd cousin.
But I digress…
Richie Jr is my age and Erik was 6 years younger. Erik was a turd as a kid. Very manic and unpredictable, like Jekyll & Hyde. When he was about 16, I became his concert chaperone. I loved it because we got to hang out. I felt like a big sister hanging out with my little bro.
Shortly after our first show together, Cypress Hill, his best friend was killed in a car accident. Thinking back to that time, he was never the same again.
He had a very unstable adult life. He was very nervous and angry. He refused therapy because “real men don’t need therapy”. Erik complicated everyone’s lives around him between his manic behavior and outbursts. It was so bad, he had to be Baker acted multiple times. He was getting kicked out and banned from hospitals and businesses.
A few years ago he was beaten nearly to death with a metal pipe and it makes me wonder now if it was random or provoked. He was a hot head. I could see him provoking someone…not that he merited the beat-down he endured.
Some people spend their lives battling their demons. Sometimes, the demons win. The demons did win. He danced with them so closely. My sweet little cuz is now one with the universe and doesn’t have to suffer any more.
Fly high Erik. No matter who you were, you were truly loved. I will miss you forever.
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