This time last year, Lionel and I lounged around the apartment lazily most of the morning, then rode the bus to 14th and U Streets, where he bought some single cigarettes. We transferred and rode the 14th street bus up to that joint where we get our fish and barbecue, and got a double order of ribs, with the sauce on the side. It took a long time. He was getting overheated. I got him a soda. As we left we just missed the bus. Another one came, surprisingly quickly. We got off at the Giant, so I could get some cole slaw. As usual, he hit the bakery department and got a couple of doughnuts.
We rode the bus back down to U Street, where he bought something to drink, then transferred to the 90 bus. Once back in the apartment, he went back downstairs and got a beer, came back in an turned on the television. I probably talked on the phone and fooled around on the computer. We ate and relaxed. I kept trying to get him to go with me to see the fireworks, but he was not interested, as usual. I took a folding chair and rode the bus downtown. Set up in front of the White house and watched the fireworks from there. Lucked up right afterwards and caught a bus quickly, before the crowds began streaming from the mall. By the time I got home, he was watching the news. He said they showed some of the fireworks. I think we had ice cream before we went to bed. Lionel loved ice cream.
Neither one of us had any idea that it was our last 4th of July together.
