It was a vacant car wash. It was
apparently one of many in our city. Upon becoming vacant, it was met with
vandalism. I didn’t even know it was there until I took a back road to get to the
interstate. The vandals had done a good job on it even down to taking the
draining grates in the bays. But still in its run down existence, there was
displayed a work of art. For there in sight, upon each wall, was graffiti. Someone
had spent hours upon hours painting. To many it may have been seen just as
additional graffiti. But to my amazement, I saw art. From then on, a trip occasionally
down the back road took me back to additional paintings. It was actually good.
Why some great painter was wasting his time on the car wash was a question I
ask myself. But being someone who loves to write and yet to get a break, I
figured this painter was in the same boat. He was waiting for a break. A true
writer writes to be heard. Perhaps a painter paints to be seen. And so; he is
upon the walls of a vacant car wash.
But the story is not about the
painter. Instead it is about him/her and their dog making the car wash their
home. On one visit, the occupants came out from a back bay. It was a homeless
couple.
“I see you like our home
decorations,” the man said.
“Yes I do!” yelling from my car.
But not until the barking dog was
called back to his master, did I get out of the car.
Ordinarily fear may have clouded my
thinking. But it was not so as they seemed harmless. I saw the dog as more
their protection from me. In fact, I was quick to ask about the dog.
“Does the dog bite?”
“Only if he sees you as a threat,”
replied the lady. “And he doesn’t. You can even pat him now.”
The dog moved closer. I reached out
a hand. I patted him and he seemed to enjoy my touch.
“What’s his name?” I asked.
“It’s Jack. He’s just plain old
Jack.” She laughed. "He’s our protector. If anyone comes upon us unexpectedly,
Jack lets us know. We take good care of him. If not much food, Jack eats first.”
I smiled as my way of responding.
I'm sorry I woke you up," I said. Ï just stopped to take in a little art on my way to work."
I smiled as my way of responding.
I'm sorry I woke you up," I said. Ï just stopped to take in a little art on my way to work."
“We certainly can understand that,” said
the man. “There are a lot of people who stop by looking at the art work. My
wife and I enjoy the company.”
“I can’t stay,” chuckling a bit from
their last remark. “I wish I could stay longer. But I need to go or I’ll be
late for work.”
“Please come again,” both speaking
at the same time.
Getting into the car, I waved
good-by.
It
is to this day I still think of that couple and their dog Jack. I go by and
look occasionally at the new art work that has been painted over the last
paintings there. But the couple and Jack have apparently moved on to another
home. I think about the things that can happen out there in this world. Having Jack
was a good idea for the homeless couple. The dog was their protector. I notice
more and more homeless since meeting those. And, I have noticed, some others
have a dog. A dog makes for a good companion. He also makes for a good
PROTECTOR!
