The Phoenix

you have a first name?—this seems a little too formal.”

“No, Mr. Carpenter’s fine. Honestly, I just don’t use my first name often, if at all. I know that sounds a little strange to you.” He smiled slightly, but quickly returned to his quasi-serious self.

“Ha, yes, it does sound a little strange. But that’s all right. You seem like an all right guy.”

“Thank you. So, you’d like a story, eh?”

I nodded at his question.

“Well, I’m afraid there isn’t much to tell, really. I’m a simple person—I enjoy coming to places like this, listening to peoples’ stories and talking with them. I also don’t own a car.”

I was surprised at his last statement. I figured everyone owned a car, especially in this day and age. “Then how did you get here?”

“Oh, a friend dropped me off. I asked him to take me here, which reminds me—I’m almost embarrassed to ask, but would you give me a ride, whenever you’re ready to leave?”

“So, you’re a hitcher?” I asked.

“Oh, no, nothing so crude. But, I guess I am, for lack of a better term. I like to think of myself as more of a ‘constant passenger.’ But will you give me a ride, Joseph?”

“Sure, Mr. Carpenter. Where do you live?”

“On Pinehurst. Not too far from here.”

I was shocked at his answer. “Really? That’s quite the coincidence. I live on that street, too.” Earlier, I may have found that strange, but Mr. Carpenter had a calming air about him. “But yeah, I’ll give you a lift.”

Carpenter smiled brightly. “I appreciate it, Joseph. Thank you.”

“No problem. So, you don’t have a family or anything?”

“No,” he said softly.

I frowned. “Well, that sounds a little lonely. I’m sorry.”

“Oh, it’s no big deal, Joseph. I’m not as alone as you’d think. I do get the pleasure of company quite often.” He leaned forward. “What about you, Joseph?

Surely you must have a family.”

I thought of Sarah and Kelly and how I’d left them at home alone. How I was afraid to return and confront them. “Yeah, I do. Wife and little girl.”

“Then what are you doing out at this time of night? I’d think someone like you would be at home with them.”

I felt a little empty. “Um, well, Sarah, my wife, isn’t very happy with me.

Neither is Kelly, my daughter. I haven’t been the best husband and father, to say the least.” I felt myself frowning again, staring straight down at the table. I could see my reflection in the polished surface, and I didn’t like what I saw.

“Well, what is going on? Anything I can do to help?”

It took me a second to respond. “I don’t really want to talk about it, honestly.

No offense to you, Mr. Carpenter.”

Carpenter reached out with his hand, placing it wide over my reflection on the table, as if he were trying to break my concentration. I looked up at him, and he was smiling at me again. “I think it’d help you if you’d tell me.”

After a few seconds of thought, I exhaled deeply. I figured I could tell him.

Sure, he was a stranger to me, but he seemed friendly. And maybe he had some good advice. I could use any I could get.

54