I went to a drumming workshop tonight with a friend. It was fun but we left early as she didn’t want to walk home alone in the dark. I ended up walking her home to Fernwood anyway as I’m quite comfortable walking alone at night. It gave us more time to chit chat.
As I ventured my way back into Fairfield I came across an unhoused man seated on a curb. It was dusk by then. The sun had set behind the horizon yet there was still a glimmer of light left in the sky. The man was hunched forward. His shopping cart was next to him, sitting idly on the empty residential road. People must have been away for the summer.
He seemed utterly down and out, smoking a vape of some kind. I trusted my gut and decided to crouch down next to him. It was still light enough to make out his facial features. I saw that his eyes were swollen slits, barely open. He couldn’t have been older than his mid-20’s. I asked him how he was. He took a few moments then told me his mom died two days ago. I asked if there was anything I could do to support him right now. He said no. He barely glanced my way. His expression was hollow and somber. His eyelids fluttered weakly. I asked if he wanted a hug and he flinched, paused, then replied no to that as well. I decided to tell him a bit about my own journey then I handed him one of my bookmarks. He held it in his hand, looking down at it, then finally turned his head and looked at me. As he did his puffy crescent moon eyes opened up. Suddenly his sclera became huge as his pupils locked deeply into mine. His face fell stricken with awe as he gasped and told me I was beautiful.
I hovered my hands just above his arm and thanked him. I wished him well, fighting my urge to wrap my arms around him, like a momma holding her child. Instead I stood up and went on my way. I called out to his mother’s spirit as I left, asking her to watch over him. She already was though. There are no chance encounters. I thought of my friend Adam when I saw him. May Adam rest in peace and may that young man find the road to recovery. At least it’s a warm summer’s night to be out on the streets.
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