I was sitting on a park bench

somewhere

no intentions

no agenda

being

vagrant walked by asked me for a light

said I didn’t have one

he said that’s okay I don’t have anything to smoke …. He laughed….. if you had said yes my next move was to bum a smoke

I laughed and I said pretty smart approach

he replied….. I’m a vagrant, alcoholic bum but you got to be savvy to pull this gig off

he had a presence about him ….. disheveled but a stik

he said … I got 5 dollars and showed it to me…. You buy me a bottle of cheap wine at the market over there and you hold the 5 dollars……

I will tell you a story about life and if it doesn’t change the way you feel about things you keep the 5,…… if it does give it back…..

I said ……. Game on …. Walked to the market

I returned an Charley was waiting for a pull

–

see I was an assistant to a big deal guy who had numerous businesses and a whole lot of money….. looking back too much and his only concern was getting more

I kept the job because I could put up with his temper and his abuse….. and after work we drank together… that was my bonus everyday

over a ten year period I saw him go through 3 marriages……. 3 divorces and a whole lot of personal problems….. some because of his drinking….. but mostly because of his attitude

I went from admiration to disgust and finally empathy….. he died 5 years ago and hate to admit it but he was my best friend.

He left me with almost a million dollars and I played hard and fast till the money was gone….. I don’t regret any of it….

I get a social security check and go clean up and rent a room and get new clothes and look pretty normal for about 2 weeks…… after the money is gone….. I’m just another drunk looking for another passerby that might want a different perspective on their life…….

he was quiet

l handed him the money and shook his hand and walked away humming…….

I never spend time comparing myself……. Compared to what……

Oboe the vagabond