My grandson is here for the holidays. Perhaps He will agree to relocate permanently. His brother is here. I am here. That's the biggest gathering of family he has. Every one else is scattered around the country.
A. was living in Fort Worth Texas. Why he was there is beyond me. Probably folks from that area can enlighten me. It was like throwing a dart at the map and saying,"I'll live there." No reason in particular. His brother said that A. went to Texas because it is warm. If He is homeless, He can sleep under a bridge and not freeze to death. Anyways, A. is coming to Melba Street. I sent him a one way bus ticket. He gets on the bus on November 1 and should arrive at Union Station on November 3. That's a long bus ride. I could do it when I was his age, but I wouldn't want to do it now.
Then my attorney calls me. "Didn't I tell you? You have to be in court for your Mom's probate hearing on November 2 and 3." Oh great.
November 3 at 8AM. The bus arrives. A. is not on it. I race back to Court to give my testimoney. Race back to Union Station. Sit and cool down for several bus arrivals from NYC. No A. I read the entire Readers Digest. This magazine, which I used to enjoy, is now mostly ads. Readers Digest gets tossed. Lunch is junk food. Did A. leave a message for me on my answering machine? I don't use a cell phone. Drive back home
Back home, there is a message from A. His bus is late. He will be several hours late.
I drive back to Union Station. If I could have talked to A., I would have said that He should call me when He gets in. Instead, I sit in the station and check every bus from NYC. No A.
Back home late afternoon. I'm hungry. The phone message says that A. took the wrong bus. In order for him to get on another bus, He needs another $10. He says He will sleep at Union Station. I know when He wakes up, He will still be short ten bucks. How do I get the money to him? I can wire it via Western Union, but have no way to let him know He has to go to Western Union.
Call to Greyhound 800 Number. They say to call the Port Authority Police. Greyhound gives me the phone number.
I call Port Authority Police. A very nice officer listens to my story and takes my phone number. Wait Wait Wait. A Social Worker calls back. They have A.
When A. learned that He could not use his old ticket, He threw it away. Now I have to buy a new and more expensive ticket. The social worker says He will call me back after he learns how much the ticket will cost. Call back: $20. The next bus leaves at 7:15 PM.
Call to Greyhound 800 number. They take my information. Oh, they have a block on that bus. It is within the two hour window. Can't guarantee the ticket will go through on time. I have to purchase the ticket at Union Station.
Call to the local Greyhound office at Union Station. They take down my information. I am watching the ticking clock. Sorry, they have a policy that they don't take credit card information over the phone. I have to come in and personally buy the ticket. Oh, there is a $15 extra charge for wiring the ticket to the Port Authority. Race in the car to Union Station.
Purchase ticket. Get confirmation number. Race back home. Call social worker. Give confirmation number. A. is escorted to the correct bus by social worker with only 15 minutes to spare.
For the fifth time that day, I drive to Union Station. At 9:45 PM, I greet A. as He exits the Greyhound Bus in Union Station. A. is very hungry. No wonder.