For years Joe drove a Conch Train in Key West before moving to Savannah to drive a Trolley pointing out the city's marvelous history, architecture and happenings.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, if you look to the right ... that's 'The Rev' walking down the sidewalk ... he's as famous as Spanish Moss around these parts."
Not knowing what else to do, I wave to a crowded Trolley of tourists.
Trolley Joe, Johnny O, Judy O, Jenny O, O Johnny, O Judy, Chicago Bob, Roma, Essie, Dave, Jodee & Cheryl, Handleman and ... in the later days Sarah herself ... along with an ever changing cast of characters ... were "The Bored."
Meeting every day at 2ish, Island Standard Time ... which is as early as 11 or as late as 4 ... met to have fun.
Alcohol was a factor.
We solved all of the world's problems and never told anybody.
We mostly had a lot of fun.
Then "The Bored" started dying off ... Chicago Bob first ... Trolley Joe ... Roma ... Dave ... and it became too boring to be bored ... so we stopped ... though other incarnations remain ... and occasionally it comes close to being what it was.
When Trolley Joe died, Johnny O calls to say I'm conducting the funeral.
So I grab my robe, ride my bike to the Pier, say a few words ... "Of all the people who hate this is happening, I think Joe hates it the most" ... then Johnny and I break the law by carrying the ashes into the Ocean.
The Funeral Home people say they can't participate but ... the woman kicks off her shoes, rolls her black pants and wade into the water with us explaining, "If the Law comes, I'll say this is an official part of the ceremony."
You can't be too careful about the Law on Tybee Island.
We drop Joe into the Ocean and ... a dolphin breaks the water leaping high into the air before diving back into the same hole.
We gasp and people on the beach start clapping.
That is a cool funeral.
Stumbling though the door marked "Exit Only" this morning, Johnny O is sitting beside Todd, Trolley Joe's son.
We hug ... talk a little about the past ... a lot about babies being born ... and life at our age.
"I woke up at 3:30," Todd explains, "and today's Daddy's birthday so I took a shower, made a pot of coffee and drove here ... to be with y'all."
My eyes grow moist.
"You need help at Bar Church?" Todd asks.
"Always," I answer.
"See you there."
Before coming home to a house full of sleeping girls, I stroll on the Pier where the Bored used to meet, and look at the spot in the water where the dolphin jumped.
"Happy Birthday Joe."
And I swear to God ... I heard a smile.
