There was this one person, I’ve never been sure what to make of them. They smoked of course, and how they smoked was fascinating. Of course there are a lot of people that smoke but from my seat, only a few ways to smoke. Some few inhale the damn things in just a few drags. One minute you think someone is taking a break and the next minute that cigarette is in hell with the rest. Reasons differ but its not impossible to see. One I think everyone has seen is the forgotten smoke style. Whatever is going on nearly the last thing in the minds of others is that smoking tobacco. Hunched over a phone or maybe a thousand yard stare its all the same. Taking a drag is more an afterthought like coughing or scratching their nose. Its common to see this. Take a look around any strip mall parking lot or receiving bay and you’ll be sure to see one. Don’t worry about catching their eyes, it won’t happen. Oh sure you might think they are but rest assured dear reader they are not. No this is all too common, too pedestrian.

You ever see someone take a smoke after they lost their house or their wife died or they lost their job or some similar bullshit. The drags taken are at once wholly indulged and yet entirely distant in their eyes and maybe their minds. Now imagine if you can the spiritual presence of that same person but without the thousand yard stare. Its really incredible. ‘Holy shit’, I thought seeing this for the first time. I can’t even imagine being aware like that. Whats more remarkable is that I’d never see it otherwise; ‘Lake thawed’, don’t care, ‘car rolled over’ oh, ‘your kookum got medivac’d you okay?’ yeah. Nothing could bring this person into awareness except that pack of Canadians.

I remember they told me a story of how their dad died. I never met their dad you see. They were small when it happened. He knew he was dying, from drink I think, and they were saying ‘I’m sorry baby girl I’m sorry I’m so sorry’ over and over. Her mom had already died, I think recently from what I could understand. She was five or six, I think, didn’t know better and went outside to find someone, keep in mind it was thirty below at the time, almost got ran over but they got scooped up, taken care of. They don’t have parents any longer. She told me this all without any pants on. I’ve never been sure what to make of them.