Book-Willie

(Delete from page 147-He looked up..to Page 149 I had been down..)

He looked up at me with blood-shot eyes and exclaimed, " Hey, Smitty! What are you doin' out here on the street? "

"I work here," I replied. "And this isn't the street. You're in an office  downtown."

"Oh," he said. His breath reeked of alcohol. His old  clothes were tattered and he didn't smell too good. Squinting his eyes he asked, " Is that really you?"

"Yeah, Willie, it's me. Long time no see. What happened to you, man?"

"Don't matter," he said." Been in jail a while. Got kicked out of my place. My so-called girlfriend left me. Been livin' on the streets a while. Shit, what are you doin' here?"

"I told, I work here," I replied, still in shock. " What can I do for you, Willie? How can I help you?"

"Somebody told me you can get a voucher here for a couple of free nights at a 'luxery' local motel?" Is that true?"

"It's true, but our vouchers are gone for the month. "

"It's pretty cold outside," Willie surmised, rubbing his coat sleeve across his nose. and blowing into his hands ( even though it was warm in the interview room). "What month is it, anyway?"

"It's February," I solemnly replied.

"No wonder it's cold. You still got all the answers, Smitty! Hey, can you lend me a few bucks for a room? I'll pay you back as soon as I get paid..."

"Paid? You got a job, Willie?"

"Nah, I ain't got no freakin' job. Hey, you think I could work here?"

"I don't think so, Willie," I said softly.

"Oh, that's right You gotta finish school first. You can't quit like I did," he said, his voice trailing off, his eyes fixed on the table.

"So, what about a loan, pal?" he asked, still staring  ahead. "I hate to ask you, Smitty. At least 'til I get my shit together."

"I can't, Willie. I don't have it,"  But you can't stay out there overnight. Not in this weather, and not in this town."

"What about the Salvation Army shelter on Main Street?" I suggested.

"Aw, fuck the shelter!" he said, raising his voice for the first time.

Startled, I warned, "Willie! Calm down, man! You don't want the security guard  to throw you out of here, do you? What's wrong with the shelter?"

"Sorry, Smitty," he said, his voice almost down to a whisper. "I've been there before. Too many rules. They want you to look for a job, shit like that. And the food ain't exactly 'Burger King' quality. I ain't goin' to no shelter. I been there. Are you gonna help me or what?"

He started to get a little pissed. I was half-afraid he might snap on me. Then again, Willie would have to be pretty messed to do that. I always trusted Willie, and he knew it.

"Sure. I'm trying to help you.  Let me   call the shelter and see if they have room for one night. One night, Willie."

"I told ya, Smitty, I ain't going..."

"Then where the hell are you going to go?" I said, losing my cool.

Instead of punching me out, surprisingly and thankfully, Willie grinned. " Watch that language, Smitty!No swearin' in the office! You don't want the guard to throw ya out, do ya?"

I had to smile. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. At least it broke the tension a bit.

"Where am I going?" Willie repeated." I'll just find myself a nice spot on a warm sidewalk somewhere in town and sleep. Or not. Don't worry, man. I'll be all right."

If Willie was trying to lay a guilt trip on me, he sure was doing a good job.

"C'mon, Willie. One night. Go get something decent to eat. Get a shower. Come back here  tomorrow and we'll talk. It's close to four and I gotta go soon. Please, Willie..."

"Aw, Smitty, you know I never took showers, anyway," he laughed. He saw I was serious and after a moment said. " Okay, Smitty, for you. One night. Only because we been buddies for so long. Go on and make your damn phone call."

"Cool. "I'll be right back, " I said, wheeling to the door before he could chaange  his mind.

"Hey, Smitty!" he called back. "Remember the time I got you to smoke pot? You almost coughed up a freakin' lung!"

"Yeah, I remember," I said, shaking my head. "That was a lot of fun."

Wow. Getting back to my desk, I stopped for a second before picking up the phone. Wow, again. I was so sad seeing my friend like this. The same guy who encouraged me not to give up.

There was room at the shelter. That was luck, seeing how it was so cold and so late in the afternoon. Ideas swirled in my mind of helping Willie tomorrow. Calling around and finding him a job; helping to find a low-income apartment until he got back on his feet; maybe even encourage him to get back in school.

But when I returned to the interview room Willie was gone.

Maybe his pride got to him?  Maybe he planned  to sell the voucher or use the cash for something other than a room? Maybe he already had a warm place to stay for the night?

"Good old Willie," I whispered to myself, both angry and fearful for  my friend,"You always were good at talking shit. "I'll pray for you, man."