It's been an interesting three or four weeks.. lol.. Been visiting with some of the brothers in arms, in Dallas.. Went in for a supposed ordinary CAT scan and next thing I know, I'm eyeballs deep in doctors that are talking serious shit.. whew.. now, that will get your attention.. After a few days, and countless blood lettings (those people are ruthless, when it come to siphoning that good stuff) I began to take stock of where I was and what was going on.. Dayum.. Hadn't had a smoke for a few days and lost quite a few pounds.. Matter of fact, I kinda resembled a "settin' whipperwill" so I prevailed on someone.. don't remember who, exactly, to wheel me out to one of the outside patios, for a smoke break.. When we got out there, I was dismayed to discover that I didn't have a smoke with me, nor a light.. Just a little commotion to my left and several people were offering their favorite brand to me and I was puffing contentedly amongst about thirty old boys that were in various stages of recovery, from some pretty tough conditions.. Some of these guys were in my age group.. a few were older.. and there were several who should have been in school, or somewhere.. We were comfortable in our company.. I was cordially invited to come back about the same time, the following day.. Seems like these guys had sorta formed a little tradition of meeting out there at the same time, every day.. I'm not real sure why, but the next day was one of my bad ones and those fine ladies who were seeing after me, forbid me to leave the room and I was stuck.. Later, that same day.. a couple of those guys were wheeled into my room .. said, they just wanted to check on me.. Sure did app- reciate the concern.. When I was wheeled out on that patio a day later, everyone did a little handclap and we lit up to enjoy the company and conver- versation.. Couldn't have been more content.. The third or fourth day I joined that little group.. we noticed a dude, just a few years younger than me.. He was leathered out in the old school and traditional chaps, vest and jacket.. thin as a razor blade and a pony tail.. neatly braided, that came down to the middle of his back.. He kinda sidled off to one side and quietly lit up.. You could tell that he was listening intently to our conversation.. He was wearing an outpatient band and his face detailed the pain that he was in.. I spoke to him.. "Hey Bro.. why don't you join us?" That old dark and creased face, relaxed into a grin and he stepped over the few feet that separated us, saying "Thanks".. About that time, one of those fine ladies swarmed out the door and started giving all of us hell for being out there smoking.. She didn't spare anyone.. She chastised us thoroughly for a minute or two and finally relaxed to get her breath.. Our newest friend in leathers, quietly spoke to her.. "Got time for a smoke, ma'am ?" Offering her one of his, from the pack.. By George, the lady was stunned speechless and took the cigarette from him, leaned over slightly while he lit it for her.. She took a couple of puffs, mumbled something about having to go and she went back inside.. All of us were amazed and pleased.. our leather clad brother had broken some ice, somehow.. There was the feeling that better days were ahead, for all of us.. By the time the session broke up and we headed our separate ways, the new guy introduced him- self as "Raven".. a charter member of Hell's Angels and Chaplain for all the Arizona Chapters of that club.. He was in Dallas to per- form a wedding, by request.. An old Viet Nam incurred shoulder injury was the reason he was being treated in our fine VA hospital.. No point to this little post.. just dropped by to ask.. "Got time for a smoke ?" Anyone ? Go see them, they'll appreciate the time you spend with them.. Bill Walker Irving
