I had just stepped outside for a cigarette, since i don’t smoke indoors. It was a dreary day, had been spittin rain earlier. My son had followed me out as he often does and he was playing with his emty pool, flipping it over and rolling it on its edge. As I was finishing my smoke, my son came up on the deck and was pointing at the road.
we live out in the courty a bit,
couple miles from town
So there is this guy. He’s dressed in military fatigues and wearing a green t-shirt. Hair turning a bit grey, black boots laced tight.
he has a blue backpack on
obviously filled with his possessions
a heavy pack to carry
He yelled out to me, “excuse me Sir!” with an obvious capitol on the “S.” “How far to Plainwell?”
I thought about that a moment. I’ve never walked there so i’ve never cared to think about the distance in miles.
“Bout ten or fifteen,” i yelled back.
“Just straight up this road?”
“Yep, just keep going.”
He waved and continued walking.
After a few more steps he turned back. “And have a happy Father’s Day,” he yelled. Then he kept walking. A car passed and he didn’t put his thumb out. I don’t think that he was that kind of guy.
Some things during your day will just stick with you. This exchange has. I really wish now, hours later, that i had jumped in my van when i thought of it and given him a ride out to Plainwell. But then again on another level i’m glad i didn’t. At worst i missed a good story.
but to be honest
the stories brought on by the exchange
those now going through my head
were enough
they will last me for a while
and for that i thank him