deadguyperez

My wife and I met for lunch at a Jack in the Box on Friday. This guy was sitting across from us and eventually said that he's an artist and does sketches of people for tips. He had already started drawing me and I said, "I'm sorry. I don't have any cash," to which he replied, "That's ok. I don't either." I did find some loose change which he accepted gratefully.

He complimented me on my glasses and said I have a unique look; that people would buy a sketch like that one without even knowing me. It came out really well when he was done. I introduced myself. His name was Frank.

My wife whispered that we should buy him lunch since we didn't really have any money to offer. While waiting in line, he was talking about the Katrina situation and said even though that was a horrible tragedy, it pales in comparison to some of the typhoons Japan gets. Frank's dad was in the military so he pretty much grew up in and around Japan. I told him I lived in Okinawa for about a year while my dad was in the Navy but I was too young to remember.

I paid for his lunch (insisting that he gets a meal instead of just a sandwich) and he said thank you. He's a really cool guy and I hope he lands on his feet at some point. If anyone in Phoenix is ever down by the BOB, stop by the Jack in the Box on 7th St and maybe you'll meet Frank. He wears a baseball cap and a rosary. He'll give you a drawing and some stories and won't expect much of anything in return which makes you want to give him more. I think we as a society would be much better off if we just got to know one another better and showed a little kindness once in a while.