I first met Curtis Caughorn as I was walking from my Henry Street office to the Java Garden to get a cup of coffee. I realized that he was probably affected in some way by life's crueler elements, but could see, right away, that he was harmless. Turns out, I was right on both counts. So, I invited this stranger to accompany me for coffee. He would become a beloved character in my sparsely occupied heart of hearts.
Curtis used to sit outside the Henry Street AA meeting room and smoke. My office was directly across the street, so when I pulled in to my parking space and saw him sitting there, his back turned to me, I would sneak up behind him and attempt to assassinate him with my make believe finger pistol. I'd shoot him behind his ear and we'd celebrate. He was my best friend.
