Have any of you been drawn in to the fantasy of living vicariously? Drawn in to a world rendered by your imagination and populated by a few facts, some conjecture, and a smattering of memory?
Maybe it was because of a friend or coworker who regaled you with stories of trips, scenes from an Italian restaurant, lovers, or daring do.
Perhaps it's a neighbor who has amazing toys on display. Nice cars. Fancy lawn chairs. Rare garden gnomes.
Far be it from me to presume to know any of you, my darling neighbors, enough to proclaim that you do get lost in dreams such as I've described. I merely pose the question as...
I, on the other hand, do.
As a matter of fact I've been imagining what kind of life the person lives who walks passed my house twice a week.
This cad, I take liberties here, seems to live a life free of the restraints that bind many of us. He comes on different days, which tells me there are no corporations bossing him around. This outlaw passes my house at different times of the day, the sea may bring the tide in and out predictively but a pirate's ship sails whenever!
This rebel is unfettered by social mores, he drinks whenever he wants and whatever he wants. Tradition does not chain him, he eats when he walks since there is no table big or warm enough to greet him.
How do I know these things about a stranger I have not met and talked to you ask?
Sherlock Holmes taught me well.
Over the past year I have picked up the clues left by this stranger in a strange land:
Pint of Crown Royal (Tues, 3pm)
Taco Bell bean burrito (Mon, 7:50am)
Two airplane mini bottles of 1800 and Beefeaters (Sat 1pm)
One bag from McD's containing fries and fish fillet, one drink (Tues, 5pm)
Baby Ruth (Thu, 7pm)
Cigar wrapper, can of ice tea, and Funyuns (Sun, 10am)
The list goes on and on...
All of these clues were left on the sidewalk in front of my house. I was once sure the person was trying to leave me a trail, breadcrumb style, to follow them to whatever promised land awaits people who enjoy fast food, snacks, caffeinated drinks, tobacco, and booze but I was wrong.
There was no trail, just the wind blowing his clues for me down to a neighbor.
One day we will meet, this outlaw and I.
We shall break bread with a Taco Bell Party Pack, and I'll watch him smoke a celebratory Swisher Sweet.
We'll throw the garbage in my yard or near the sidewalk together, maybe even wink knowingly.
I think on that day many things will be won, but one thing will be lost, his freedom. He'll have to move on to another yard as I will know him and the glory of a pirate is in the unknown and unpredictable.
Go on, littering bird, fly away. I've lost you before I could even catch you.
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