12/2 Goodbye Oak St

Went today with Jordan after his class and study group.  I was getting stressed because I thought he was working the afternoon shift and we'd be rushing.  I discovered this little Vietnamese sandwich shop in castro and have been eating y way through their 6 item menu.  they are all $4.50.  If you have not had Bánh mì thịt nướng (baguette with grilled meat pickled vegetables and cilantro) stay away you'll never leave.  I knew in my head that I would pick up a couple on the way to bring to him, that way it was free taste testing.


Jordan thankfully announces hes on late shift so no stress, and we set out to Bánh mì heaven on the way an off to walnut creek.  He was sleeping and his roomate is in bed - who speaks so very little english but one word he knows well?  HELP!  He just sat there saying it over and over and I tell him I am not a nurse push your button he says in russian they never come!  I know this not because I speak russian but because he is a master at speaking like an italian with his hands which makes it easier to understand.  I tell him he needs to wait I cannot help.  He persists making it impossible to have a conversation with Richard but starts adding mama and drink to the english word repertiore.  Mama?  really?!  okay...I go to his table giant jug of water and I shake it and say there is water here...no he needs it poured in the little cup...okay.  Done.  Back to Richard.  HELP!  HELP!  HELP!  mama!  help!  oy vey.


Anyway...I go through my day yesterday and all my discoveries.  Richard says what are you a detective?  You should work for your dad and sleuth on people.  He doesn't even remember Rick Jarrett!  But he does say that he was a pioneering gay rights writer. and he thinks the photo came from his friend Charlotte.  We ate, we talked.  He asks Jordan about Mexico then immediately ignores him as hes answering....


Arlene and Lee show up.  They have spent a lot of time investigating the costs of continuing therapies which with a lower frequency is going to be near 2200 a month.  Facility will now start taking his entire Social Security check minus $35, and at that cost out of pocket a month she sees no sense in retaining the financial drain on an empty apartment.  Sad.  Hes been here for so long.  But honestly even if he gets to the point where he can get out of there, I don't think Oak St is the right place for him to be with the stairs and small pathways to walk.  She and Jordan talk about it a bit on our way out and they are targeting the end of the lease in Feb to close up shop on Oak St.