November 10, 2002
It's strange—I haven't seen the old man in days. His porch, usually his little throne, is empty every time I walk by. Was he hospitalized?
At first, I thought, serves him right. After all, he never missed a chance to throw some sharp remark my way. But now… I don't know. He's old. And maybe… lonely.
Maybe all that teasing was just his awkward way of trying to talk to someone. To matter.
I still don't like how he treated me. I really don't.
But I didn't expect to miss his presence. And yet, here I am—wondering if he's okay.