A moment of silence.....

I live in Maryland and work in DC. So to cut my commute time and cost down I drive and park on the street and then catch a bus to the job. For the past two months when I get off the bus to get into my car after work I am greeted by a warm and friendly gentleman by the name of Mel.

Mel initiated conversation by introducing himself and asking what my name was. Our meetings were usually brief but pleasant. One day he asked if he could take me out, and I explained to him that I was seeing someone. He began to explain that he didn't want anything but to spend some time and see me smile. He still wanted to know if he could maybe take me to dinner or something. I told him I would let him know.

Yet and still every day after work he would be sitting on the stoop at his relatives house waiting for me to get off work. He would remind me that he wanted to take me to dinner and that he was still waiting for my reply. He would also remind me that I was beautiful and that the person I am seeing better be treating me right.

As time went by I started to know more and more about Mel. He spoke of his daughter, his job, his life, his goals, and dreams. He would always inquire about my day at work, how my son was, and make sure that I was happy.

About a month ago Mel greeted me with his arm in a sling, I inquired about what happened. He explained that he had a seizure and broke his arm. He mentioned that he never had a seizure before. He went on to tell me that he was in the process of suing Howard Medical Center because when he arrived there they treated his arm but not his seizure. Mel stated that because he never had a seizure before and has no diagnosis of a seizure disorder the hospital should have given him some medication to treat the seizure because "I could have a seizure in my sleep and die". We would joke about him winning his lawsuit and going on a trip somewhere first class, sippin on champagne! LOL

About two weeks ago I finally allowed Mel to take me out. We just grabbed a bite to eat before I was due to pick up my son from daycare. This became a regular practice since then.

On Wednesday 04/08/09 while we were conversing I told Mel that I had these yellow shoes I couldn't wait to wear with this yellow dress. Mel said that he wanted to see me in the dress and shoes, so he wanted to pay for me to get my nails and toes done on Friday 04/10/09.

So Friday comes we both leave work early, however, traffic was not on our side. By the time we meet up it's too late to sit at the nail shop, so he gives me money to get my nails done and tells me he wants to see my "pretty toes" on Monday.

Friday night I went out of town to Hampton University to visit some sorority sisters. We spoke, I wished him a early "Happy Birthday" (His birthday was on Easter Sunday and his 2 year old daughter was scheduled to be dedicated to the Lord that day as well). Saturday he called me and I was at the nail shop getting my nails done, he said he wanted to see me when I returned and to call him when I got back to Maryland..............

That was the last we spoke..........

Monday after work I wondered why I didn't see him to show of my nice pedicured feet.

Today, Tuesday, as I am waiting for the bus to go into work and one of Mel's friends approaches me and says "you know Mel right?"
I said "Yeah, (with a super big smile on my face)"
He said "You know he passed right?"
I said "WHAT? No I didn't, when?"
He said "He passed on Sunday"
I said "What happened?"
He said "He had a seizure in his sleep and died!"

WTF, WTF, WTF, WTF........................... He died on Easter Sunday, his birthday!

I've been so sad, crying, and feeling so angry! I keep seeing his smiling face, and hearing his voice and all I can think about is "He never got to see my 'pretty toes'"

So a moment of silence for my friend MEL!

Peace Homie!