It was noon, a cloudy day with a sunless sky expanding to the horizon. It was one of those regular visits to the Thorncliffe Park Library, a branch of the Toronto Public Library, with my daughter. She would spend at least an hour there. In the meantime, I had to occupy my time reading a few books or magazines of interest.
While I was looking for an interesting read, I saw him approaching me. That was the first and, as it turned out, the last time I met him. In his six-foot-tall frame, he resembled Sidney Poitier, the famous Hollywood actor from the 1960s.
"May I help you, friend?" he asked me.
He was not a library staff member but a hired security guard.
"No thanks, but I appreciate the offer," I said as I continued my search for a book.
I thought he was going to leave me. But, he continued to stay beside me and carry on his conversation.
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