The View from the West Hill: White Man Walking

   For some reason, a white guy in a tie looks like he's well off. Never mind the fact that the tie is loosened halfway down his chest, his shirt is drenched with sweat and he has a scowl on his face. Never mind that he is walking and carrying a car battery - apparently he has a car, but he is walking. He looks like he has spare change burning a hole in his pocket. He looks like he wants to give it away to Walter, who lives in Pittsburgh, but is in town for the Earth, Wind & Fire concert. The white guy is walking fast because the battery is heavy. Walter is hanging with his friends outside a soup kitchen and smells like a 40-dog of malt liquor.

Walter (hand outstretched): Lookit here, I'm just trying to have a good time. Can you help a brother out?
White Guy drops change into Walter's hand.
Walter: Thanks man, I'll pay you back tomorrow.
White Guy (sweating, hot, cranky): No you won't. You won't see me tomorrow.
Walter: You come back right here tomorrow, and I will pay you back.
White Guy (sweatier, hotter, crankier): I'm never coming back here, Walter.

. . .

   As I wrestled with putting the battery in the car, a passerby noticed me and offered to help. He is younger than Walter, and does not smell like St. Ides, but he, too, is keenly aware that I may have money that I wish to part with. While turning the nuts and bolts, he explained that he is "new in town" because he was just released from the Mansfield Correctional Facility four days prior.

  He explains that it is hard to find work when you just get out of prison after 3 years. He believes that I am "a decent Christian man," and inquires if I might have money I am not too attached to. I consider sending him after Walter, but decide that Walter is probably well on his way to he Earth, Wind & Fire show by now and think better of it.

  Upon completion of the task, I handed over 3 wadded up dollar bills, less than a dollar in loose change from my pocket and then emptied the pennies from my ash tray into his cupped hands.

  "Use it wisely, please," I admonished him as he walked off. Perhaps the best 3 dollars and change I spent all summer.

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