Lifestyles of the poor and nameless

And now....the conclusion of "Throwback". If you've missed the background, check out Part 1 and Part 2.

Today, I was at my desk, wishing the day would go by faster when my cell phone rang. I saw an area code I didn't recognize and figured I should answer. It could be American Express or something. All I heard was "Hey, how are you?" and I didn't recognize the voice. "This is Ray..." In the back of my mind, I knew it was him, but I couldn't believe it was, so I said "Ray who?". I could detect the impatience in his voice as he said "Ray L...you talk to my mom and sister all the time." 100 sarcastic remarks came to mind. I should have hung up the phone for shock value. Instead I settled on something benign like "Oh, OK."

I will admit, I was curious. I figured he had some kind of legal trouble, but did he really have the gall to look me up after 3 years to get a legal opinion? I decided to let him do the talking and see where he went. He took the scenic route: "I'm sorry it took me a while to get back to you."

I wanted to throw the phone. Mofo, you don't contact me for years, and then say "I'm sorry it took me a while to get back to you"?!! That's something you say when you're a few days/weeks, maybe even months late. I fought to restrain myself. If I spoke, I would curse, so I kept quiet.

"Mom told me you passed the bar. I'm proud of you...you're doing your thing. You got the gift, girl. I knew you could do it." Gag me with a spoon! "So when are you taking a vacation? You should come down to FL sometime (he and his parents had recently relocated to FL). Come hang out and work on your tan." As I fought back the bile that billowed in my throat, I gave a fake laugh and said "yeah, I don't know about vacation. Got work to do."

I asked no questions and he rambled on a little about how he's got some "financial advisor" position, but doesn't know if he wants to keep it. Eventually, the pièce de résistance:

"Hey, I wanted to ask you a question...I signed this contract and now these people are trying to collect more money on it....is that legal? I asked this other attorney about it, but I wasn't sure. I figured I should ask someone I could trust." Wow...I'm a real sucker huh? After all that crap, he still felt he could trust me? I should have sold him up the river just for laughs.

So I answered his legal question. He thanked me and continued with the small talk "it's good to hear your voice again. I'll probably be coming up to NY next month sometime. Maybe we could hang out." I said nothing. "Well, you have my cell phone number now, so give me a call sometime, OK? and think about coming to FL." I laughed that fake corporate laugh and got off the phone.

I was proud of myself because I hadn't said a single sarcastic thing the entire time. I did the professional thing and provided honest advice and directed him to the proper authorities even though he didn't deserve it. Why didn't I blast him?

Because I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing that his random actions confused me and it still upset me....even 2.5 years later.

Because even though he didn't realize it, he fulfiled my belief that he would need me before I needed him.

Because he's older now and his hair is thinning and he won't always be pretty...but I'm coming into my own.

Because I'm sure this is not the last I've heard of him...and maybe next time I will slam his ass.