Coleman

While in my healing process of "officially" being dumped with no hopes of getting back together; still friends. [Updated: 08/07/05-That opening sentence isn't all together right...stay tuned]I decided to keep myself busy so as to ease the pain. I began the day by going over to the mail box. Leaning over a balcony was this older blue-black man with severe razor bumps on his face. Asked if I could give him a lift to the bank. Initially thought hell no, than he was like he'd pay for my time. I still didn't do it and went about my way. While running errands around town I’d see this guy twice or something; be it he getting off a bus having a confused look. Or him walking along the side of the road like "fuck it...it is what it is". I know that attitude all too well and I could spot it on other people. Not only that...that long lonely walk I've done before (4 miles one way). When I saw him as I was driving we made eye contact. As I passed I looked through the rear view and saw him looking back as if to say,” wasn’t that the guy who couldn't give me a lift?”

I ended up making a u-turn and flagging him down. He was like,” thank you, man...I’ve been walking not knowing where the bus stop was...” Turns out dude was from Louisiana, his accent was thick. He'd go on to say that after his efforts to find his bank, he needed to go back to the bank with more paperwork to open an account. He's new to the area trying to get on his feet; again I could relate. He was a tall guy, could tell he's seen alot. Looked as if he was moving into his 50's who still does manual labor is what I got from him. Told me his name was Coleman and I said the names Victor. Firm handshake and we kept it moving. I with my own concerns must've been made obvious cause he would start conversations where I would just come in with an appropriate interjection. He was saying how it's hard to get a house out here (Houston, TX); I says,” It takes money to make money", the more positive outlook to his in my opinion. I brought him back to the apartments to get his paperwork and than back to the bank.

He payed me what he could and again, the firm handshake. Guess where i'm going with this is that, it's good to be able to help someone, especially when you know where they're coming from. But I don't ever want to return to again.


Uncle