George welcomed me as I was, wanting nothing from me, expecting nothing from me, having no ambitions for me, no aspirations.

Just my company.

He was my best friend for two years, I his, me in my twenties, him in his sixties.

He loved life and people. He worked hard at being kind and was very popular. People adored him. One day, I caught up to him in Dunkin' Donuts. He glowed, telling me: "I've never had a feeling like I have today! People light up, smile out loud, me just showing up!"

I ordered coffee, the waitress leaning over the counter to my ear away from George. She whispered: "Please tell him his fly is open."