BEST-DRESSED MAN

From the moment
he stepped onto the bus
I knew Darryl
was someone special



He was a distinguished-looking black man in his mid-50’s, sporting a great smile, which was only outdone by his strikingly-white tuxedo.

“WOW!”, I said.  “I hope you have someplace important to go.”

“Hey, it’s my birthday!”, he responded.

“It looks like you’re planning on having a great one.” I replied.

Darryl is amongst a town full of struggling musicians just trying to catch a break.  A jazz trumpeter all his life, Darryl is always dressed for the occasion.  I have never seen him walking the streets or catching a bus ‘out of style’.

Darryl has played with some of the best that come to town, performed at the most prestigious venues, but is always left scratching out an existence that is not born on his demeanor.  He is always cheerful, considerate, polite, and upbeat, but you can sense the struggle underneath the surface.  I have felt honored to be able to help him out through a couple of rough patches.

Our moments together are always precious; two brothers just catching up as quickly as we can in the seconds allowed between driver and passenger.  We have strung together a wonderful collection of moments over the past three years that rate amongst the best.

No matter what circumstance Darryl may find himself in, he will always be the best-dressed man around town.