when he and his friends would sit at that same counter and solve the world's problems. He thought this group was a smart bunch, but very naive.
Mac got up from his stool. "Let's go guys. I'm going to need some help with thinking obtusely about civil law."
With that, they all got up, checks in hand and paid at the front register. Jimmy detected the man behind them. He looked up from his book and watched them leave.
Chapter 17 Ben Green
The man Jimmy noticed was Ben Green. As a retired lawyer of 12 years, Ben's daily routine consisted of a light breakfast, a long walk through the City and lunch at Chuck's restaurant. He liked the chili, omelets, clam chowder and their BLT sandwich. He rotated his choices as his taste buds called for each day. Today, he felt like an omelet.
Chuck's made a Joe's original omelet with Italian sausage, spinach and provolone cheese. It was almost as good as Joe's. Ben liked the omelet's Italian flavor and the stringy cheese. He considered the spinach as his healthy greens for the day.
Ben practiced drug related law during the hippie years and for some time after. He was a rebel at heart and could sympathize with many of the hippie ideals. He agreed that corporations run the U.S. and that the media was censored and bias. He especially had no love for corrupt politicians.
The irony in his hippie ideals played out full circle. The hippie’s from the 60’s are the media and politicians of the last two decades. And nothing’s changed. He still couldn’t trust them!
Ben practiced law until the middle 90’s. That's when Ben's eyes became increasingly sensitive to light. He started wearing sunglasses more often then not. When he felt comfortable inside with them on, people started asking him how he was feeling. Some thought he was high, being paid in product. A side effect of Marijuana use is sensitivity to light and blood-shot eyes.
Ben could care less what other people thought. His friends knew him and that he must have a good reason for wearing shades.
Finally, after noticing that he was wearing sunglasses most of his waking hours, he went to see his physician. An MRI was done. The results revealed a brain tumor known as ependymona.
Ben had surgery to remove the tumor with follow up radiation. He took a temporary leave of absence from the law firm. The temporary leave turned into a full retirement. The cancer experience was his awakening.
Ben was in his middle fifties when the cancer cornered him. He had worked all his adult life. He did grab a week here and there for a little R and R. But, for the most part, work was always on his mind.
He began to reason that there was more to life than law. Late in his career, Ben realized that just because he was good a good lawyer, didn’t mean he had to practice law.
His obsession with practicing law left him hobby-less. Most of his downtime enjoyment came from watching professional and collegiate sports. Facing the reality that life is short and has unexpected twists along the way, Ben decided to retire and do whatever struck his fancy.
After several months of retirement, Ben settled into his creative schedule. His routine emulated a relaxed style of life. He began gathering knowledge about things that interested him.
At present, he obsessed over the ancient history of Lake Titicaca. He researched and compared the latest archeological news about the lake with the Biblical Flood.
An Inca legend claims that cities around Lake Titicaca were built by giants and destroyed in a flood. Current research claims that the six feet of sediment on the shallow bottom of the lake must have come from the sea. This sediment contains pre-historic sea shells, from 12,000 years BC. Ben and others conclude that Lake Titicaca was covered by a massive flood such as the one explained in the Christian Bible.
Ben tossed down the last bite of omelet and finished his iced tea. He closed his book and got up from the table. Suddenly, he begin to feel lightheaded. He walked through his dizzy feelings and paid the bill at the front counter.
Ben opened the restaurant door. As he walked out on to the sidewalk, he began to see spots. The dizziness was becoming uncontrollable. He dropped his book and steadied himself on the brick wall of the building. His knees began to buckle. He went to one knee still trying to steady himself on the brick wall.
A passing stranger noticed Ben as she walked towards him. She was about 20 feet in front of Ben on the sidewalk when she first noticed Ben going down. She approached him and asked. "Are you ok?"
Ben took a deep breath in response, trying to gather himself. He looked up with his eyes closed and said, "I'm not sure what's happening to me but I think it's getting better."
"Sit down and take some deep breaths. I'll call 911," she said.
"No don't call. The dizziness is slowly going away."
She looked at him. The color was coming back into Ben's face. She felt that he was becoming more in control of his situation.
"I'm beginning to feel better." said Ben. "In a couple more minutes I'll be off and jogging again," he cracked a slight smile. She returned a smile that expressed a sign of relief.
She said, "Do you live far from here? Where's your car?"
"I walked. I live near Hyde and Golden Gate."
"Well, I live close to there. Why don't you let me walk with you."
"Sure," said Ben. "I have never been accused of turning down a pretty girl's wishes."
She helped Ben to his feet. He oriented himself and checked for the dizzies in his head. He decided he could walk. He started to walk, a little shaky at first. Once his body adjusted to the light-headedness, his stride became more firm.
Ben and the girl walked down Golden Gate Avenue. When they got to Hyde Street they turned right. The conversation was light. Mostly, the girl asked how he was feeling and he answered ok.
When they reached Ben's building he said, "Here we are. I'm on the first floor. Thank you very much for your concern and help.”
She smiled that relief smile when an uncertain situation ends on a good note.
She turned and started to walk away. Ben started to unlock his door while assessing what had just happened to him. Then he turned. Amazed at his lack of curiosity, he said in a raised voice, "What's your name?"
The girl looked back, hesitated, and then said, "Kitiona.”
Chapter 18 The Third Floor Flat
Kitiona walked down the street towards her new, temporary home. She had rented a third floor flat complete with land line phone next to Azalea Market. The mom and pop market stocked the basic food necessities including fresh fruit and vegetables. She felt the need to stay close to home and having the market next door helped.
She wanted to avoid the guys who followed her and were staking out her Chinatown apartment. The run in with the two thugs at Joe's left her slightly paranoid.
Kitiona walked past her building on the opposite side of the street. She checked to make sure no one was watching her new place.
Paranoia was a new feeling for her. American Samoa had spoiled her. Crime was non-existent there. Everyone
