The Second Entry

About two months ago, on a Saturday morning, I was walking out to get the newspaper at the end of the driveway. Always at the end of the driveway, sometimes halfway into the street. I think my paperboy is anemic. I look around and there's Bill. He's standing in the middle of the street in front of his house, still in his pajamas and man, does he look wasted. He's facing slightly away from me so I don't get a good look at his face, but he appears to have lost a lot more weight. His pjs are just hanging. So is his jaw. I'm thinking that he shouldn't be out there and whoever is taking care of him doesn't know. I'm not sure what to do, but he seems okay, then he turns and starts to walk back up his driveway. It's a very strange walk, almost like he has forgotten exactly how it's done. He brings his right knee up, almost waist high, then lets it fall. The next step is made by dragging his left foot forward. "Bill?" I hear Charlie calling. Then she comes running out to him, takes him by the arm and starts leading him back into the house. All the while she keeps looking around to see if anyone is watching. She spots me of course and makes a shoulder shrugging motion as if to say 'Kids.' I shrug back and pick my newspaper up. I'm thinking, gee - I thought he would have been dead by now. Thinking back I hear a little voice saying 'Maybe he was'.