Her Coat

She owned a long black coat, one of those things that uniquely identifies a person, like wild hair or lots of rings or the carefully considered way the person walks. Her coat was like one of those things that give you attitude, makes you feel like you are more than you’d be without it. On my way to meet her one morning I spotted Sylvia wearing Sherri’s coat. Sylvia was still far off but there was no mistaking her wobbleRead more

Sherri

Karaoke was very exciting. Many of the singers were actually quite good, especially a young misshapen woman who sang The Judd’s song Love Can Build a Bridge; it brought tears to my eyes. Many sang big Motown hits. A man who had legally changed his name to James Brown gave a much talked about, much anticipated performance of a James Brown song to the wild excitement of everyone. There were duets and group performances. Sherri hugged me and kissed myRead more

February 14, 2007: Kareoke

I left one tape recorder and my camera at the hotel room so that I would not lose them should I get mugged tonight. I arrived at 7:15 PM. Sherri saw me walking toward her and a smile spread across her face. The others stopped to look. I heard her say: “I told you he’d come. I told you he’d come.” When I got to her she kissed my cheeks and my hands as she so frequently did. Jamacus wasRead more

Valentine’s Day, 2007, Skid Row, Los Angeles

Today was beautiful. There was so much happiness. I brought Sherri a small arrangement of asters and carnations and blue wild flowers with sprinkles of white. Carroll was sad she did not get valentine flowers so I ran out to the flower district and got a bouquet of a dozen red roses and oriental lilies; she cried. It was the first time in 21 years anyone had given Sherri flowers, and the first time Carroll has received flowers in herRead more