1:26 AM

Mommy look at that man getting lost in a bottle again. He cries tears of sorrow that smell of bourbon & cheap wine. Lighting up an already half smoked cigar,  he licks his lips & focuses his eyes on the ground. The thought of self realization darts across my mind. Not a reality but a hint that it could exist & at this point my instincts tell me to look away from the man. Mommy grabs my hand & hurries me, shouting "come on". This only further peaks my interest of the stranger. I take one last look at the man as I ready my lips to speak. My voice cracks as i clinch the lonely quarter in my pocket. "why?" I ask putting the perfect circle of cold steel in his palm. He looks at me innocently. A smile begins to emerge from his once solemn face. "thank you" he responds then puts the cigar back in his mouth. Mommy has become impatient & pulls me away grabbing me by the collar. We walk. Up two blocks & down two more. Im an adult now & the scent of the mans cigar smoke has become too familiar.