We drive off in silence. The men looked bad, really bad and there was nothing I could do about it nor could I erase their images from my mind. They didn’t ask for a thing. Come to think of it, no one did the entire time I’ve been in Portland. Even when I encountered folks in obvious dire need, not ONE “me beg yu one nanny” “me beg yu one manley” “me beg yu (fill in the blank)…” appeal did I receive. I’m not complaining, simply acknowledging the observation.

I’m no longer in the mood to be social. Part of me wants to go back to my room and be alone for the night but another side feels it would be wrong to bail since Cleveland was looking forward to this.

I’ll go.