A Conversation with Demri's Childhood Friend
I spoke with Karie Pfeiffer Simmons about her beautiful memories of childhood with Demri Parrott.
Karie Pfeiffer Simmons grew up in Arlington, Washington across the street from her best friend Demri Parrott. The two met in fifth grade at Post Middle School, where Demri was a grade above her. About a year later, they became close companions and stayed in touch until Demri dropped out of high school during her junior year. Karie’s childhood memories were full of mischief and adventure, and I had the honor of hearing all about her pure, 80s shenanigans with Demri and others!
According to Karie, Demri was very popular in school- so much so that when she ran for student body president in eighth grade, she won by such a landslide that the teachers stopped counting the votes. She had won by over 300 votes. Karie has said that “[Demri] liked to be a class clown, get attention, and joke around. She would sneak out through the windows of the classroom and skip class. She was always doing funny things or charming the teachers so that she would get good grades that way.”
Speaking with Karie
H: Helena (myself), K: Karie
H: Because there is such little information on her life growing up, I am intrigued to know more about her early life. It is true that you grew up with her?
K: Yes, Demri and I had so much fun together growing up, I miss her so much. We were both latchkey kids (our parents worked) so the freedom we had growing up was pretty wild, looking back. There’s so many stories & so much to tell, so it’s hard to pick out one memory. We had many times of sheer laughter. We were very mischievous.
I was so sad & shocked when I heard the path her life took towards the end. She had called me a couple times to meet up & party with them but I was on a different path. My brother was with them and shared updates with me when he would run into her and Layne- I knew and still know a lot of people in the music scene so I kept tabs. I wasn’t into drugs because they scared me, but I regret not trying to help her and not being there more for her emotionally toward the end (I didn’t know it was the end so soon though). We were young & invincible right…
There’s a man who wrote a book on Alice & Chains and I did an interview and connected him to her mom and a bunch of our friend group growing up. I shared the homes she grew up in, etc. He came into town where we went to school and did interviews with Kathleen and others. But of course he left a lot out. Hahaha. (His name is Dave DeSola or something like that)
H: What are your fondest memories with Demri?
K: I want people to know she was a beautiful light. She always had a sparkle in her eye and a vibrant smile. We loved to sing, dance, dress up, she rode my horse, I would ride her on my bike handle bars. She was always short and little that she fit perfectly on them. We used to sneak out of classes and walk down to 7/11 to get burritos for lunch. Then, we would cruise around with the older boys. Her and I both dated older guys who had cars. I remember going to a lot of bonfire parties with her.
A really fond memory is having a sleepover of about four girls and we were laying on our friend Shannon’s waterbed singing Leather & Lace by Fleetwood Mac. She would sing the guy part and I would sing the girl part.
Demri also had a very sweet voice. Her laugh was contagious! We had this silly call we would yell down the school locker halls to let each other know we were there exchanging books before classes. It was so silly. She showed me how to give head, demonstrating on a carrot (in 8th grade!) She had gone to a summer camp and met some guy so she was telling me all about it. It broke my heart when she didn’t make it to the 10 year class reunion. We had a pack that ran around together.
Anyway. I told you it would be long. There’s so many very fond memories. Sneaking out my bedroom window at night to go meet boys etc.
H: Wow, thank you for all these stories! I smiled reading them, such innocent 80s fun. It's sad to hear you regret not helping her in the end, I hope the guilt doesn't eat at you too badly. As sad as it is, there’s little other people could have done when it comes to addiction. I hope you know her legacy lives on and inspires the younger generation. I'm 20 years old and totally inspired by the way she interacted with people.
K: Wow, you’re 20, that’s amazing. My kids are 28, 25 and 25. I still feel Demri’s presence at times, it’s really interesting. Like right now, I’m in tears. She definitely was not an instigator of drugs. She began modeling and doing hair shows (we both did) in Seattle in 1987. It was her senior year and the whole grunge scene with underground raves was so big. She was so vibrant and full of light that she attracted energy vampires and what I like to call “the dark side”. I believe as she began to experiment more it just pulled her in deeper. We all got caught up in the music industry but I drew the line early on that I knew not to cross. It’s really sad and breaks my heart. It seems it’s gotten even worse for your generation. I pray people find a higher path of enlightenment and empowerment for their journey and deal with trauma & struggles and can lead strong, loving, fulfilling lives. I’m glad a couple of our stories brought a smile to your face. Demri would love that!
Love & light.
Thank you guys for the support as always, it is beautiful that Demri continues to be a teacher and someone who brings people together even after her death. And big thanks to Karie for being so kind to share some of her stories with us!
I love these. It seems you’ve stopped? Doing more in future?