"Micheal!" he exclaims changing direction flashing a blazing white smile on a perfect black face.
We embrace.
We worked together for years. He started with me but when the Homeless Authority was created we encouraged him to apply as a case manager. He was hired and been an excellent addition to this community ever since.
"When you coming back?" he asks in his self demeaning manner, sly smile as his glance goes towards our shoes.
"To what?" I laugh.
"You know ...," he fumbles in an "Awe Shucks" sort of way, "you know ... um ... to our work ... there was nobody like you ... we don't have that any more."
I can't think of anything to say.
His wide brown eyes steal at glance and he seems embarrassed.
"You look great!" I tell him. "You look happy."
"Oh yeah," he smiles. "I am."
"Good," I say hugging him again. "Me too."
I climb in the car, start the engine, back out of the space and in the rear view mirror I see Carlos standing at the door of the Supermarket staring at me wistfully.
Those were good times. Incredibly productive times. We were comrades taking on the evils of the world and winning. Satan himself couldn't figure it out as people overcame the ills of society by finding themselves. The whole world took notice.
Like most things it ended abruptly and while many stayed in place, I left in large part because I wasn't wanted anymore.
But I've moved on, found new happiness, growing in areas I'd sacrificed then, overcoming the psychological wounds either self inflicted or otherwise, learning to appreciate then while relishing now.
Carlos is still staring as I turn out of sight.
At first, I wonder if I'm missed. Do people still care about the things we did? It doesn't seem so though from time to time I run into old mates like Carlos who ask "Can we do it again?"
Sadly, the answer's "No."
But it was one Hell of a ride while it lasted and there are some things people never forget.
