Date: Fri, 12 Jul 2002 14:33:01 -0700 (PDT)
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INRE: Joe's first day - and Roadtrip

Letter to Karol . . . .

Hello, Karol, Love,

Just got back from a much needed road trip - still kind of in a daze. Spencer and I took our greek god-son down to Southern Ill. to visit my mom, spent the night, Monday, then drove over to Southern Indiana to meet Joe's family, and pick up some paperwork, his mom had for him. Everything went like clockwork, on schedule, no problems, and got back home, safely, last night - had a wonderful time. This day trip is sort of a continuation of the original Monday story . . . it HAS been a whirlwind~! . . .

. . . Where were we . . . oh, yes - Spencer, Joe and I had just finished having our first Dinner all-together at Swillers - looked up and it was dark - three hours had just slipped by, as if they were seconds! . . . We couldn't stop there - so we gathered our things, and walked over to a coffee shop, just down the street, and managed to get three prime seats, outdoors, many people to watch in the Streeterville area, - and continued our wonderful chance-meeting, earlier in the afternoon, (Joe and I). (During the time I was to be on the phone with you, btw.)

Spencer and I went inside the cafe, and ordered our coffees, while Joe watched our seats. We picked up our drinks at the counter, and were adding our sugar/cream, etc. which was at the window, right in front of where Joe was sitting, and as I looked out at him, (he was unable to see us) - I could see the pain and the hurt underneath his _expression. It was just the saddest thing I could ever describe. Spencer and I just about "lost" it, right there in the coffee shop - when I reached over and whispered to him, what I saw. That vision has etched a permanent place in my soul, and I shall never be able to forget it.

So, we brought out our coffees and deserts to place before our boi, bringing the sparkle back to his weary eyes, - and spent at least another two hours telling stories, reading passages from Spencerer's book, laughing, and forgetting time, while Joe recited two poems and a rap song he had written!

We left the coffee shop, and I asked Joe to come back and spend the night, so he would not be on the street, alone, or as a "pick-up" from some stranger. We all walked over to the subway, Spencer slipped me $100 to help get the boi home to his parents, or wherever he needed to go, and we boarded the train, waving goodbye (to Spencer), and left for my house.

I have never enjoyed a train ride, as much as that night! I could not keep my eyes off him, and vice versa. We laughed and joked around, the entire way. Got back home, and spent at least two more hours talking - finally got him to relax and lay back in my arms, and his body melted like warm butter into mine. We spent at least another two hours just caressing and fooling around, etc., (safe sex) before finally cuddling up in bed for the night. (Actually the morning!)

The next day, Joe had managed to wake up early, with no alarm clock - went to court (misdemeanor charge) - and had his charge dropped, just as he said it would. He had three job interviews, and followed up on a contracting job, thru my friend ("the Mayor), that very afternoon. I took him over to try and retrieve some of his things, but was unsuccessful. His boots were among the posessions he had lost, and without them, his boss wouldn't permit him to come back to work. (He was looking for a homeless shelter, that Monday, when I met him, and had just lost his job, on top of that.)

Well, Wednsesday rolled around, and he wanted to go out with one of his friends, who had helped him with a place to stay, before, (I had met him on Tuesday - a black guy who works as a nurse at one of the rehab hospitals, just up the street from me.) They wanted me to meet them at 6pm, at the bar where his friend hangs out, which I did. Then, we were to go to Navy Pier for the big fireworks display (3rd of July!)

As they were leaving the bar, his friend, (Louie) - saw an old man who could barely walk, and went over to help him. His back had gone out on him, and he was drunk, no less! Louie (still wearing his green nurse's scrubs from work,) asked me if I would mind giving him a ride home, just around the corner. (Something neither Joe nor I would have done, btw.) Well, as Joe and Louie were helping him around to put him in my truck, Joe's wallet fell out on the ground, somewhere, unbeknownst to us, and we were already down the street, when he noticed it! We rushed back, but it was no longer there. (Or the old man could have lifted it, we just will never know!) That wallet was the only thing Joe had left in this world - the $120 from the contracting job he had just started, his ID, his SS card, and his birth cert.

Well, we had a pretty intense scene, there, with Joe's spirit, absolutely broken, in tears, shaking, and destitute. My heart just broke. His life, already broken. Louie and I sat with him, dabbed at his tears, and talked him down, comforted him for about an hour. We then took Louie home, and I brought Joe back to my house for the night, and I sat up with him, holding him, telling him how "special" he really was, and how sometimes impossible obstacles come our way, to help make us stronger. To "test" us. And, sometimes to bring us messages. And, how many times, these things happen, just before something really good is about to happen. We are always in danger of attack from the enemy (the "Dark One", Satan, Evil Forces,) - and we must always remain close to God, for Protection.

I reminded him that "Our steps are ordered of the Lord," and told him to just look around him - to see that he is safe, and out of harm's way. That it could always be "worse" - told him I'd gladly trade my wallet for my two children that I had lost in my bitter breakup with my wife. Told him how proud I was that he tried to help that guy, in the first place. How impressed I was with his energy and motivation - to get a well-paying contracting job, and go on 3 interviews, the very FIRST day he had a place to actually work from, meaning to shower, use the phone, sleep in a bed, etc.

Well, we had a picnic, spent July 4th together, side by side, all day, also had Spencer over to join us. Sat on our blanket out near the beach, held hands, and told each other of past holidays, and Joe told us, that this was the best 4th of July he had EVER had.

July 5th, he worked on the contracting job, thru the weekend, installing a new kitchen floor - which turned out beautifully - Joe insisted on cooking for us on Sunday - to thank us for all our help - and I went home to a sumptuous home-cooked meal, compliments of him, Sunday night, with all my dear friends, the "mayor," Spencer, Joe and I, gathered around the table. We prayed over the meal, and for one another, and had the best time, I think one could ever have. Joe bought me a Zippo lighter, (for my cigars) with his contracting money, (bought one for each of us.) which I think I shall keep, the rest of my life, as one of the dearest gifts I have ever received.

I told Joe, I would take him down to his parent's house to pick up some important documents from his parents - and we'd help him get his ID back, and apply for his SS and his birth certificate. Spencer has absolutely fallen in love with him, as well, and we all three took a road trip together to meet each others' families, and all. We had a rough time getting all the necessary "points" to get his state ID, and had to spend one extra day, down there, in order to get the necessary paperwork. But - we left Indiana WITH his new ID, and all the necessary paperwork he needs to get the rest of his papers. (His mom had to come with us in order make that happen.)

. . . Well, there is more, but I must continue, later, as I am at work, and I have run out of time, for now.