We rode the subway to the Eaton Centre,exited the turnstiles, and saw a homelesswoman extending her paper cup. I walkedby. Then stopped and walked back. I hadtwo toonies in my pocket and gave her one.She was grateful. When I caught up to Jean,I said, Why didn't I give her both? Is $4going to kill me?... Continue Reading →

On the flight from LA to Toronto I was bumpedto Business Class, some airline SNAFU, and thereI was next to Robert DeNiro slightly reclined forthe long flight. I’m told I bear a striking resemblance,despite his being twelve years older. He is muchdifferent in real life, playing Wordle on his phone.I respected his need for anonymity... Continue Reading →

If I took the car I would have missedthe woman offering her seatand her insistence to sit – please sit –I would have missedthe memories of her mother whoowns a bean farm in Jamaicashe will inherit one day.And then what? Leave Toronto?I would have missed the manwho gets on at Vaughn,asks the driver something,who nods... Continue Reading →

A little girl sat at my table,surprising me, opened a padof paper and packet of markers.She drew a tic-tac-toe boardwith assorted colors like a rainbowflattened into bold straight lines.She made a black X in the center,tore it from the pad then pivotedit to me. Your turn, Mister.Could this be more awkward?A grown man playing a gamewith a girl of 7 or 8... Continue Reading →