"Hello there. Please, come have a seat." I stirred awake from my quiet contemplation.

He was an older gentleman. White hair, mustache, friendly eyes. Wearing the same loosely draped simple white garb as the rest of us. I'd never met him, yet he exuded a warmth, as if our paths had crossed many times. As we sat, his red canvas high-tops revealed themselves, causing a smile to flash across my face.

"Didn't expect I was a Chuck Taylor guy, I take it?" he kidded.

"No, no, I'm sorry, that's fine..." I felt a litle flustered. Not exactly how I would have preferred our conversation to begin. "I mean ... I'm sorry. No, I didn't see that coming. Nothing against them, or you of course. Seeing them
reminded me of ...well, I just would've figured ..."

"Grey Rockports?" he interjected. "More suitable old-man style shoes?" His smile had lost none of it's warmth.

I searched for the words to justify my obvious faux-pas. "I was in a rock band prior to waking up ... here. The drummer wore red Chuck T's. And you and he couldn't be more dis-similar. He was an animal...."

"And what am I?" he asked. "Have you gleaned so much from my appearance, and simple invitation to sit and talk, that you know what kind of person I am?" Still smiling, and I noticed that, more so than his cheeks or lips, it was his eyes that projected this friendly aura.

"No, you're right." I said. "Absolutely right. I'm sorry. It wasn't very fair of me to jump to any conclusions. I won't do that again."

"My friend, you have learned your first lesson before our conversation had a proper start; for that you should be happy. But I caution you against making claims that would require a miracle far greater than any this wonderful place could provide. Now, unless you have more to add on that topic, we can consider it done. What is it you would like to discuss with me today?"

"Umm... I'm not..." I began, searching for an answer, but coming up blank. "Wait. I thought maybe you had something you wished to talk with me about . Didn't you ask me to sit?"

"Did I?" he grinned, his eyes twinkling.