His pathetic end

     He stood on the street looking at the house. He was an elderly man, short and stocky, with a homely face. His disproportionately long jaw was hidden beneath a near black beard with two silver streaks. His big grey eyes were set too low and far apart. The door opened and a fit but otherwise average looking man stepped out, wearing a rugby shirt. He approached the car parked in the driveway and motioned Von over, then opened the door for him when he got there.

     In the car they were silent for a minute, then Von spoke up. "Please, just let me in for a few minutes. I've a lifetime of memories there in that house. I built it myself, for my wife, Ella, only 30 years ago... "

     "Sorry Von," said the new homeowner. "The kids always want you to stay, and I hate to disappoint them. And you know, there's Lyssa. it's not that Lyssa doesn't like you...."

     "She thinks I'm creepy," interrupted Von, "I overheard you all when I was playing cards with the kids."

     "oh... Then you understand." He reached into his pocket and took out a 20 dollar bill and handed it to Von, "get a meal and find a warm place for tonight. This is it, though. Next time I'm calling the cops." He pulled the car over next to a cafe just on the other side of the bridge where the suburbs stopped and the town proper started. 

     Von started walking toward the cafe as though going in, but changed direction once the car was out of sight. He took to the sidewalk and after a few blocks came to a church. Rather then the main sanctuary he went around to an auxiliary building where there were a few unsavory looking types, like himself, standing around. He went in. There was a line of other destitute folk lined up behind a table full of closed paper bags. There was a young girl behind the table and, upon seeing Von, smiled broadly. "Before you get yours, Von, father Tannon wants to talk to you! he's in the sanctuary!" she called. Von took a deep breath and sighed, then went into the sanctuary where Father Tannon was sitting in the front pew, reading a pamphlet. He looked up when Von entered and motioned him over. "I think I already know the answer," The pastor started saying as Von sat down,  "but Lucy wants me to ask. You're welcome to come stay with us in our home, if you want." Von smiled sadly and shook his head. "You've been coming here even before I took over as pastor. You're almost like family. It's a pity you never could talk Ella into coming."

     "I just wanted to get something on my stomach." Von said. He got up and walked out. A few minutes later found him at a local park with a lunch bag and a big newly purchased bottle of wine. He set aside an apple, and withdrew a ridiculously thick PB&J. He alternated eating it and taking drinks of the wine, eventually finishing the sandwich and only drinking the wine. As the night began establishing itself and street lamps came to life, a group of youths came up to him, speaking loud and brash among one another. 

     "What have we here!?" one exclaimed.

     "looks like he's drinking our wine." answered another. They took his wine, and beat him. Mercilessly. Looking up and seeing them walk away, he tried to shout after them. Broken ribs left him breathless. He barely managed to climb to his feet, blood streaming down his face, clutching his ribs. He struggled to go after them, making no attempts at stealth. They turned around as one of them pulled a switchblade knife. Von lurched forward as though embracing the thugs arm. It was impossible to see whether or not he was stabbed, or if he impaled himself intentionally upon the knife. It could be argued they were both true.