Don't Forget to Write

Matthew Gives His Blessing

On my way out of the liquor store on 145th, the man who always stood on that corner to sell substances that weren't available at a store said "Eyo Harry Potter, you need anything? Green? White? Soap?"

"Nah I'm alright for today, thanks, man."

"Aright, you change your mind you know where to find me."

Denzel was sitting on his stairs, awake and looking into the distance, searching for something that didn't exist. I stopped and sat down next to him.

"Hello, young man."

"Afternoon, sir."

"Can I help you with something?"

"I just thought maybe you'd want a beer?"

"Oh no, that's alright. I wouldn't want to take your beer."

"Nonsense, there is plenty left for me." I opened two cans and held one out for him. He hesitated, but then took it. "Merry Christmas."

"Thank you. Happy holidays, son. How did that day at the soup kitchen go?"

"It went great until we ran out of food."

"That's a shame."

"I saw you gave your food to a boy. Did you know him?"

"I know him in the same way that you know me. I've seen him around a lot."

"It was a beautiful thing to see, but why'd you do it? Weren't you hungry?"

The homeless Denzel shrugged, "I was starving. But I've lived my life, and it's been a damn good one for the most part. Now it's his turn. If I can help him by doing something as simple as giving him a meal, I'll do that." We sat quietly for a while drinking beer. "What about you, young man. You seem like you might still have the world in front of you, what are your plans?"

"Well, to be honest, my plans have been shot to hell. All of them. So I'm taking off and leaving the city behind. I have a car loaded with essentials, I'm gonna live on the road for a while."

"Sounds like quite the adventure, I wish you luck."

"Thank you. Can I ask, what is your name?"

"Matthew. And yours?"

"Peter." We shook hands, his were big and rough, and his handshake was firm.

Our beers were empty. I took out a few more cans and left them on the top of the stairs for him as I said, "Well, Matthew, I should be heading home now. It was good talking to you."

"And you, too, Peter. God bless you."