In 2017, a last-minute business trip to Indianapolis with my dear friend Franklin changed abruptly when he answered Cynthia’s phone call. His wife assured him that she and their four kids were OK, but that they were headed to the hospital to make sure that their fifth child, due within a few weeks, was safe.
They had just been involved in a car accident, having been hit from behind. He arranged to fly out immediately, apologizing profusely for not being able to join me on the drive back. I assured him that if he didn’t fly out that I would drive him straight home that very moment, no negotiations.
I took this as my opportunity to do what we had talked about only a few hours before he left: take a drive to Chicago, snap up some photos, eat some pizza, and head home to Houston.
Having found metered parking near the Union Station, I started walking, camera in hand. Feeling at home in the downtown environment, I was surprised to see very few people on the street. With such beautiful weather and it being a Sunday and all, I didn’t understand where everyone was.
As I continued between large buildings and open blocks, my eye was drawn to several bags grouped on a corner. Scanning for their owner, I found him. His pace suggested he had purpose. Holding several bags in each hand, he seemed to own the crosswalk, methodically balancing his center of gravity against their momentum. He enjoyed the right-of-way for five minutes, or so it seemed, successfully transferring his bags to the opposite corner. Once grouped, he continued on his journey, carrying the bags into a building almost forty yards away.
I captured several shots of his grouped bags, before and after their Exodus-esque crossing, and before his critical remark. Thought I don’t recall his words, I have perfect recollection of how I felt when I heard them. His words censured any assumption that he was a hoarder. They conveyed his familiarity with academia and my impropriety at photographing his personal effects.
Before I share more of my interaction with Dr. Talsky, I give you this composite photo. I’ve waited for the right moment to attend to and share it.
Take note of the information contained therein. After I share the next part of the story, each prop will fall into place.
