I Have Reason To Believe

Halfway though my third day in Denver I was trying to figure out what my next move would be.  Tommy was gone. He had left on his bike the day before because we were having no luck catching a train. He said he would be back in a while but we both knew he wouldn’t. I was a little mad at myself; I had lent Tommy thirty dollars. I was camped under a bridge by the tracks that had no good trains going my way. I figured there was no chance of  making it to Graceland on the trains any more. There was much to train hopping, and a guide was essential. I thought about trying to hitchhike. Anyways, it was raining and I was un-decided, so I just stayed and read the book Tommy had left me.
 
Traveling with Tommy had allowed us to get to know each other. Tommy liked the Hobo life. He had never liked responsibility and work. There had been a few years of regular life; Living in an apartment with a wife and kids. But Tommy was a hobo in his soul, and he could hear the train horns blow from his bedroom window. Leaving was what Tommy did, so I had no illusions. There was nothing in his world that would compel Tommy to stay with me when it was no longer convenient. So I was completely surprised when Tommy peddled up to me just before dark. He was soaking wet.
 
Tommy: “I wasn’t going to come back.”
 
Me: “I know”
 
Tommy: “I was staying in a house with a friend. We were dry.”
 
Me: “Sounds nice.”
 
Tommy went on to tell me that he couldn’t stop thinking about me alone under that bridge. He knew I couldn’t make the trip on my own. Tommy had come back because he had a Son my age and he hoped somebody would help him out of a tight spot. There in Denver Tommy gave up his freedom to help me. It was everything he had. That moment has had a great influence on my life.
 
Sometime in the night we caught our train.  It was still raining but there is a dry place to hide on the back of a grain car. We were on our way to Lincoln.

Tommy Long; I saw you at your human best. I will never forget it.

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