Chapter One

There was an old man sitting on the corner of the street by my three bedroom house in Fair Oaks, California. Everyday on my way to school i would walk past him for years. Then as i got older i would drive by on my way to high school. This man would sometimes be with a couple scraggly looking friends but never anyone too threatening. Everyday as i drove by i would just glance at him and never really think anything of him or his story. Well one day after i was out of school i was walking to the liquor store to pickup one of my favorite energy drinks. As i came around the corner once again i saw this man. As i looked at him, for once i finally really saw him... He was a middle aged man that you could tell had seen some hard times. Every wrinkle of  sleepless cold nights and hard memories, was like a story book just waiting to be read. I couldn't help but stop and think, this could be someones long lost loved one, someones run away son, or even someones Daddy. So right then and there i decided to stop and find out this man's story if he would let me. I walked in and bought that energy drink, and as i walked out i handed him the change hoping he would take the bait and unknowingly let me into his world and memories. He said thankyou. I said your welcome. At that moment i noticed a somewhat thick noticible hint of where he may be from. His accent was like one i had never heard before. He said life is harder than it used to be son. Dont take anything or anyone for granted, you might not know what your losing till its gone. I said thankyou stranger, By chance could i have your name? He said the name's Johnny, but you can call me Gator.