When he qualified for a
monthly Social Security check he decided to spend his later years doing
exactly what he wanted – drinking.
Because
he lived in an apartment near our corporate offices we saw him most every
day. In the mornings he’d spend an hour
or so sitting on a bench in front of the Inconvenience Store. He’d smoke
cigarettes and visit with friends from TLC. Propped nearby would be his bicycle.
For
a few years after leaving, he peddled cheap watches to our clients to
supplement his income. But eventually he gave that up.
I
spoke to him often in passing. And once in a while he brought up his drinking. I
think he thought I didn’t approve and he wanted to let me know it was working. But it was none of my business. If he’d wanted to stop, then it would have
been my business.
The
last time he brought it up he said his routine was to start on a half pint
around one o’clock. He’d finish it about five, eat something, and then sleep
for the night.
Once
in a while - when he talked a lot about drinking - I’d think maybe he was asking for help. Then I’d let him know our
door was open if he wanted to take another run at living sober. But he wasn’t
interested. And I don’t try to convince anyone
to get sober. I think life lets us know when something’s not working.
And
in his case it seemed to somehow work until the end. Rest in peace, Richard.
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