My friend Bill

Whenever Mike would see him, he'd say, "Hey, there's my friend, Bill!" Mike would go over and shake his hand and ask him how he was doing. Bill was homeless; one of the familiar faces of downtown West Palm Beach. Mike enjoyed talking to those folks, but especially to Bill.

Shortly after Mike died I ran into Bill at Clematis by Night, the weekly concert series downtown. I approached him and asked if he had eaten that day, then bought him dinner. I mentioned Mike. At that time he realized who I was, and started crying. Bill loved my brother, I could tell. He was sad that Mike would no longer ride up to him on his bike and shake his hand.

Fast forward a year. I ran into Bill at Publix in City Place recently. I was having lunch on the veranda, a common location for watching traffic. He came out of the store and looked for a place to sit. I invited him to my table. I was very glad I did. Bill told me he had a job and a nice little trailer to live in. Things look like they are doing ok for Bill. It was light in my heart to hear about how well things were going , and to speak with him. I felt that Mike may have had just a little influence on Bill's life since he left us. I hope it continues to go well with Bill. And I like to think Bill is my friend too.