Yesterday I found a $10 Subway gift certificate card in my dresser drawer. It was buried underneath a stack of clothes I haven't worn in years (too fat). Any way, I decided no better time than the present. So I throw on a pair of shoes and make the trek to the neighborhood Subway. Upon arrival I order a foot long Marina meatball, drink, chips and two cookies (the total came to $9.89). I exit Subway, turn the corner for the route home and continue my walk with visions of devouring a foot long marinara in my head.
Halfway through my journey I walk upon the neighborhood bus stop - There sat an old homeless guy with a dog on his lap. I nod and say hi - he reciprocates the gesture. I sneak a peek at the dog...it was a miniature poodle. When I was married I had a toy poodle named Pepper - she reminded me of her.
It was the piercing puppy dog (I am hungry look) that stopped me dead in my tracks. I've seen it a thousand times -- "Sir, how are you today? Would you and your buddy like to split a sandwich with me?" - The old homeless guy shifts the dog from his lap to the bench and says -- "We would like that a lot."
I sit down next to them and ask their names - "I'm Eddie and this is my little girl Cupcake," he says in a rusty tone. I introduce myself and ask - "Do you guys like meatball marinara?" - He nods yes. I unwrap the sandwich and hand him half. "Here you go Cupcake. Let's get some food in that belly of yours," a wide smile instantly comes to my face as I watch him grab a meatball and gently feed it to her while her tail wags a mile a minute.
The three of us devour the goods and then I ask how old she is - "This little princess turned three last month," he tells me as he scratches her belly, "I got her from the pound when she was a pup...no one wanted you, isn't that right?" - He adds as he scratches the back of her ears -- "It's just the two of us girl," he concludes.
Eddie loved his dog, and his dog loved him - I ask if it would be okay for me to hold her - "No problem friend," he says as he hands her to me - she immediately began licking my face - "Your spirit must be true, I can tell...she isn't friendly to people who don't have a true spirit," I was going to ask him what he meant by the statement, but decided against.
I still had a bag of potato chips (sour cream and onion) so I open them and grab a handful. I then hand the bag to my derelict friend - Cupcake begins to jump up and down in anticipation - "These are her favorite kind," he bellows, "Here you go girl," he drops a handful on the bench and she snaps them up. We chat a bit longer and then I tell him I must go - "Nice meeting you," I say as I shake his hand, "It was nice meeting you as well Cupcake. You two be careful out here," I add as I poke her nose and prepare to leave.
What happened next will forever be burned into my imagery - it's because I use to do it all the time with my dog Pepper - "What do you say to our friend for getting us lunch?" Eddie had Cupcake held up in front of his face, facing me. He begins to make a silly voice as if it was the dog actually talking, "Byyyyye Mr. Robbbbb," Cupcake says. He wags her front right paw at me - the action brought a smile to my face ten miles wide.
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