This one goes out to all my old homeless buddies. Wendell (aka The Grand Sage): You saved my life once, and you wouldnt even let me buy you a bottle. You told me to lay off the drinking, that all things must pass. You always stood outside the CVS, selling outdated communist papers with snot running down into your mustache because it was so cold. You listened to all my white boy problems without laughing in my face. I could have died on the train track that night. Hell, I really wanted to. You talked me out of it, and wouldnt even take five dollars all those times I offered. Id rather have talked to you more than anyone else in the city. There isnt a week that goes by that I dont remember your smile. You might have smelled sour, but you kept your teeth in perfect order. I hope you are still around and living the brown folk dream. Andre: You crazy bastard! I should have just given you that Borsalino hat. It looked better on you anyway. Scaggs: You dirty hustler! Are you still running the speed chess trick on the U of C kids? You hustled me out of $50 in two minutes, but Im not holding a grudge. That was a valuable lesson. Never let a guy convince you he is new to the game when he carries his own set and clock with him. I hope your liver problem got better. Edwards: Im sorry to tell you my cat died. I know you liked him. I hope youre still going to church. You always seemed less troubled when you went. Besides, the coffee was free! Mr. Joseph: I doubt youre still with us. I hope by the time you died you got to see your granddaughter and made peace with your daughter. Im sorry I didnt have any good advice to give you. I was just a mixed up kid, but I could have tried a little harder. If no one else does, Ill remember you. That guy I can never remember the name of: Im sorry I couldnt ever remember your name. Ill always remember your little flute, though. You could play the melody of Claire de Lune, and under the train overpass it sounded beautiful. Im sorry I never bought candles from you. I should have. Boss: That pizza was awesome, wasnt it? You traveled the country to settle in Chicago. Ill always wonder why you didnt stay somewhere warmer. Johnson: You always were a pitcher vampire at the bar, but you listened to my screenplay and laughed at all the right parts. I miss our jukebox wars, though I doubt the bartenders do. Your favorite book was Of Mice and Men. I hope you finally found that farm in the end. It might make you smile to know that I started calling anyone who randomly sits down at my table and refilled their glass from my pitcher Johnsons. You owe me like 40 beers, dude. Milkman: I saw your interview in the Tribune about a year after I left. You never told me you had a Playstation under the river bridge. I didnt recognize your real name until I saw a pic. No matter what, youll always be Milkman. I hope you guys are okay. Thanks for showing the white kid the ropes. I enjoyed passing the time getting drunk with you, but I loved listening to your stories more. You guys had the best stories.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Nov 2014 02:45:56 +0000
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