They were back from their walk and bath. Around noon.

Had to get food supplies and a couple of things from the lumber shop.

And some screws and nails at the hardware store. He drove to the small

town. Chico loved smelling the scent of everything with his large head

by the window. A twenty minute drive. Got some wood. Nails, screws.

And walked to the grocery store. There was a young man sitting next to

the entrance. He looked sad. Disheveled. A bit listless too. Their eyes

met. Frank felt something was wrong with him. Asked him if he was

OK. He said yes. But he wasn’t. Frank asked him if he had eaten. He

said no. Frank went into the store and bought two tuna sandwiches and

two beers. Asked the young man, whose name was John if he would

join him for lunch. He said yes. They went to a small park nearby. Sat at

this bench. They ate in silence. Frank was trying to figure out about

him. After having their sandwiches, Frank asked him if there was

something he would like to talk about before he went home. John told

Frank he was from Chicago. Had two siblings. A brother and a sister.

who didn’t know about his whereabouts. He had come to Hollywood to

try his luck as an actor. But after a year, struggling to survive waiting

tables. And having script readings here and there…got discouraged and

decided to quit his plans. After that he went to the bus station and

randomly chose this town. Tried to find employment, but with the

sanitary crisis taking place, he wasn’t hired by no one. He wanted to

do handyman work. But no one wanted to bring a stranger into their

homes. A man hired him to haul debris to the dumpster.

And that was all. He had run out of money and didn’t any left to buy

lunch when they met. He sounded well read and articulate.

Frank proposed to help him. They would drive to his cabin. He would

shower and get fresh clothes. Sleep in the porche after dining.

Next day, help him cut wood for his bird houses. Was welcome to stay

one more night if he wanted. And if not, he would take him to the bus

station and buy him a ticket to go back home.

John was grateful and said yes. They did that. Next day in the evening

that grateful young man was heading home thanks to our Frank.

Chico didn’t miss a second of all that took place.

Everybody was happy. Life was good,

EO