familiar faces

Ponce was bustling last night and it reminded me how alive it can feel when the weather is nice. It's been awhile since I simply took an after hours stroll through the neighborhood but I think one is in order. It's not just the street people, but a variety of locals were out, lounging in front of MJQ or eating on the porches of the three patio amigos across from the library. It was reassuring to see that after sundown the crowds don't suddenly migrate to Midtown and turn this into a shell of the urban frontier.

The street has an assortment of characters, some of whom are just visiting and others who are mainstays. I know some of their names, so when we see one another, it's usually time for a quick chat.

After a long hiatus, I recently spotted Willy heading up the street at his usual pace. The recognition wasn't instant as he was wearing baggy shorts rather than his usual risque fair. I wanted to say hi, but we were headed in opposite directions. It's been a while since I saw Willy and I wondered if he'd given up his routine of hanging out on the corner, waving to folks. Willy's alternate name is Bike Shorts Man, and if you're unfamiliar with him, it will only take an online search to dig up his infamy.

Later I bumped into Stewart. He was surprised I remembered him. The last time we met he was buying booze for OTP high school students who were in town for prom. I asked him if he was clean and he avoided the question, which I took as a 'no'. He was very excited about his new celebrity status. A film crew had recently paid him five dollars to be an extra in a rap video and now the video was on BET. He then told me that his only other on camera spot was for "Crackheads Gone Wild". That crew had paid him three dollars to answer questions about being addicted to crack.

Stewart told me to take his picture. I did and he continued on about his spreading reputation. He told me he was going to move to San Diego and become a porn star. He told me to look up his video appearances on the internet. He told me he was going to be famous. After a smoke, Stewart said his farewell and waved goodbye. I had no doubt that he would turn to drugs if need be, but I saw that glimmer of hope in his eye while we talked and I secretly hoped that his aspirations would help him find stability. I wonder if I sometimes give people too much credit, but when I watch the desire in desperate men to become a better person, it's hard not to envision them in a brighter future.