I had to look several times, until I made myself accept it was you.
I was walking to an AA meeting downtown and saw you in the alley going through a dumpster.

Your face was dirty but that effervescent smile was still there and it sealed the realization it was you, Liz.
You recognized me and straightened yourself and stretched out your hand encapsulated in material so soiled it barely moved.
You started , “bro, I’m all cracked out, lost everything and now no family, no home, no life I just exist and the worst part of all, I don’t care. Keep hoping I’ll die of an overdose or freeze to death but it hasn’t happened yet.Look you know we were always straight with each other, you got sober and I moved on to crack. Before you say how concerned you are and want to help me, save it. I know you mean well but this story is over. The powers to be just haven’t decided when to close it. So old friend leave me to my pursuit of destruction and give me a ten spot that will get me through till I have to steal something this evening. Glad you’re doing well.”
She smiled that smile and I gave her a twenty and she nodded and I heard her laugh as she walked away eating a piece of dumpster pizza.

I stumbled into the meeting tears streaming down my face. I was one of the “lucky” ones.

Ttucro