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(Page 3 of 8) The Ragman by Jonathan HaskThe Ragman was embarrassed.
"Oh... sure sir. You want whipped cream on that?" It appeared as though the Ragman was a newcomer to the world of trendy coffee, so I decided to give him as much help here as possible. He seemed to catch on to my intention and smiled sheepishly.
"Yes sir. Thank you."
"If you'd like to go sit down I'll bring the drink out to you," I said, trying to sound reassuring without also sounding condescending. The Ragman nodded, appearing again to understand my intention to help him with unfamiliar territory. He went to his regular table and sat. He looked odd there with no drab green book bag. I finished making the drink and brought it out to him. As I leaned down to set the mug on the table, I said in a low voice, "here you are sir, a Café Latté." I pronounced it carefully so that he would understand how it was pronounced.
"Thank you sir. Can't say I ever had a Café Lottay before, but I have a feeling I'll like it." The Ragman looked thoughtful for a moment as he worked out the pronunciation of the new word. He brought the mug up to his face and inhaled the aroma deeply, then smiled. He then took a sip, considered for a moment, then swallowed.
"That's real good sir. Just one question though... you got these in decaf?"
"Sure do sir. Next time I'll be sure to make you a decaf one. If I'm not here, just ask for a decaf latté."
"Thank you sir," the Ragman said, and then took another sip of his drink.
At that moment my curiosity took hold of me. I pulled the chair across from the Ragman out and sat down across from him. He didn't appear to notice; he was fairly intent on enjoying his newly-tried drink.
"I don't mean to pry sir, but is there anything I can help you with?" I said tentatively. It was hard to come right out and say to someone that you think they might need help. I'm sure it would've been just as hard for him to initiate that kind of relationship, but I took the lead in this. I continued in a low voice before the Ragman could reply.
"It's just that I noticed that you're kind of out of sorts, and you don't have your book bag with you. Is there anything I can do to help out?" The Ragman finished his first sip of the Latté and set the cup down carefully on the thick paper coaster on the table. He gave me a level look.
"I don't think so boy. Not unless you can find the guy who took my bag. Or if you happen to have a washer and dryer here in the store." He looked down at the gray streaks of dirt and street grime that marred his coat and pants, and visibly hesitated before deciding not to brush the dirt off and on to the floor of the store. "That man must've needed that book more than I do. He's welcome to it. I've read it too many times to get any more benefit out of it."
"Were you robbed sir? I could call the police and you could file a report." I started to get up to retrieve the cordless phone behind the counter, but the Ragman motioned me to sit back down.
"That man is long gone, and the police won't do more than listen and nod.
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