Travis
I saw my nephew yesterday. I used to babysit him. I helped teach him how to speak clearly. When he was 6, he'd baby talk his words. Things like NAPKIN. He'd say Na kin. I'd bribe him with chicken nuggets to say the words correctly. He was speaking very clearly by the end of the summer. That was in the 80's when chicken nuggets very very cheap, a dollar bought you a gallon of gas and a high school kid could afford things.
He is 39 now. A grown man. Balding. He only has the halo of hair that wraps like a band around his head. He has no teeth. He is dirty, mentally ill which was exacerbated by the new meth (https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2021/11/the-new-meth/620174/), and homeless. He remembers me fondly but could barely focus on anything positive. He spiraled over and over into a darkness that was followed by tears and snot that he would smear across his dirty face. Over and over. It was beyond disturbing.
I hugged him many times. When he hugged backed, he clung tight. I think he was surprised that I'd hug him. I don't suppose he has much affection in his life. I barely know him anymore but I really love him and I will probably never see him again. It's been 15 years since I last saw him and 10 years before that. I doubt he'll survive long enough for another encounter. His hug was genuine and present.
After I left, Scott asked me why I didn't get a picture. That's not the way I want to remember Travis. He was such a fun kid. So happy. A rascal. Adorable. That's what I want to remember.
He is 39 now. A grown man. Balding. He only has the halo of hair that wraps like a band around his head. He has no teeth. He is dirty, mentally ill which was exacerbated by the new meth (https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2021/11/the-new-meth/620174/), and homeless. He remembers me fondly but could barely focus on anything positive. He spiraled over and over into a darkness that was followed by tears and snot that he would smear across his dirty face. Over and over. It was beyond disturbing.
I hugged him many times. When he hugged backed, he clung tight. I think he was surprised that I'd hug him. I don't suppose he has much affection in his life. I barely know him anymore but I really love him and I will probably never see him again. It's been 15 years since I last saw him and 10 years before that. I doubt he'll survive long enough for another encounter. His hug was genuine and present.
After I left, Scott asked me why I didn't get a picture. That's not the way I want to remember Travis. He was such a fun kid. So happy. A rascal. Adorable. That's what I want to remember.