I'm Living...

"I'm living." His eyes were now fixed on me, and it was clear that he was not use to being asked personal questions. My body flushed with a feeling of safety, and swiftly I threw the vehicle into park. "Any day I'm out here is a good day. Have to live in the moment, since you never know what tomorrow will bring. Look at this." Milton proceeded to open his mouth, displayed an interrupted array of stained teeth.

"See this? My own brother shot me, point blank. My own brother, man." he took a few steps back, followed by a deep breath. "Do you believe in Jesus? Let me tell you, the Lord is looking out after me. All those people that stop, people like you, that's all His doing. That is all the good in the world. If it wasn't for people like you, I wouldn't be alive."

A local patrol car caught our attention, as I lingered for another light. To avoid a run in with the officers, who seemed to be curious enough as it was, I decided to continue on my way. As I completed my turn, I turned the music up louder than before. Steadily accelerating, I was passing highway traffic before I reached the on ramp. The lines on the road blurred solid, as my thoughts could only focus on one question; What would I miss about Milton? Perhaps I would yearn for the novelty of being able to call a homeless guy by his name. Maybe it was the laughs I pocketed from every encounter. In the end, it didn't really matter why, but I already felt a hole.

I never made it home that night. Instead, I found myself back on the same wet doorstep, on which I recently rested. She opened the door, and without a spoken work, I stretched myself across her couch, with my head in her lap. Mindless commercials flashed across the television screen, hypnotizing me as I enveloped myself in the familiar. It was now her turn to brush her hands through my short cut hair, and my eyes fought sleep as my entire body gave in to the comfort.

"Why are you here?" Her voice was soft and faded into a whisper.

"I just wanted to be with you."