Dear Anonymous,
He is in line for a bed in detox at Milestone. He has tried to stop drinking. He is trying, he tells me. He has been able to hold back, but detox from alcohol carries risk, so it seems entirely perilous to me. He, however, seems willfully on board with his effort. All I can think is 'Gorilla on his back.'
He struggles.
Says 'I'm leaving. Going to Florida. Can't do this winter no more.' He's got his plan for a bus ticket and wants to detox before he heads out.
I ask to photograph, he often does not want to be involved. Today he agrees and I let him know how much I'll miss him out here.
He smiles that warm, spirited, twinkly eye smile and responds 'I'll be back.'