This is Ocean Beach, California. Home of the West Coasts longest fishing pier. I spent many summers here in this small coastal community.I remember walking this pier as a child with my mom and dad. We would stop along the way and talk to the fishermen, asking what the catch was. Back in '68 I learned the fine art of surfing on this beach. I caught my first shark here in 1973. As a teenager, I spent many nights out on the pier, listening to music, catching fish, setting Lobster traps and smoking pot. It was on this pier that J. Told me he loved me."
O.B" as the natives call it, has not changed much since the 50's or the 60's for that matter. Newport Avenue is home to some of the finest antique stores in Southern California. Such a laid back and relaxed atmosphere, I am always comfortable and at ease walking on its crowed 
sidewalks.
Once a week on Wednesdays, O.B hosts a free Farmers Market. Featuring farm fresh produce, breads and sweets from the local bakeries to freshly caught fish. My personal favorite is the flower vendors! I usually spend $30 or more on fresh flowers for each room in my house! Shh, I know I am spoiled!
After walking the Farmers Market, I decided that I was hungry and decided to stop at a local Taco Shop. The food is good, and really cheap. Just my kind of place! Sitting outdoors, at a wooden picnic table the view of the beach and the pier was awesome! It's also a great place to people watch. Listening to the local bongo players playing a hypnotic beat, watching the surfers change from wet suits to street clothes....Oh, sorry, I forgot where I was going there for a minute ;}
I dropped my napkin and as I reach down to pick it up I see these two guys walking on the other side of the street. Both are dressed all in black. I think to myself that they look familiar and as I look closer I realize that the guy closest to me is in fact my son Punky, and the other guy is his friend, T.
At the time, all these thoughts are running in my head.
I wonder what he is doing here? Oh, he must have the day off. I wonder how they got here? Then I notice this other guy coming from the opposite direction making what appears to be some kind of hand sign.
I am questioning myself. Did I just see that or was it in my head?
The gap between them comes closer, and I watch as my son reaches into his pocket only to pull it out again as the stranger offers his hand.
Oh shit! Punky is selling drugs! Oh fuck. Naw, I did not just see that. Yes you did! You are not stupid. Of course he is selling, it is his life now. Remember? When Punky was drunk, he told you that he wanted the "beach bum" life. Oh fuck! Fuck,fuck, fuck!
Just a brief handshake, a moment in time really! I just sat there watching as they continued on their separate ways. I sat there for a little while having this argument in my head.
I so want to deny this...You can't deny what you saw with your own eyes. Punky is a addict. How else is he going to support his drinking, his need for pot? He can't support his habits on a minimum wage job. This is not your problem, there is nothing you can do to change his situation.
You have done more than anyone else, you have given your all and then some. You need to take care of yourself. Your health is in the balance.
This doesn't mean that I don't love Punky because I do. Nothing is ever going to stop me from caring, ever. He is my son, always will be. However, I have four other family members at home that need me. I can't just focus on Rusty, it will be the death of me. I won't allow him to drag the rest of us down with him. The only person that can help Punky is himself. And its quite obvious that he is not ready.
Tomorrow is another day with new challenges and I would not miss it for anything.
N Posted by Rain at 2/23/2006 10:36:00 PM
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