DIABLO

Yesterday I ran into Luis.  I was standing next to him at a store counter and I recognized his voice.  Luis is Puerto Rican, New York City.  We go back a long way. 

I remember the last time I ran into him  on the street.  It has been several years, probably more than I realize.  It was about 10:30 that night and we started walking on East Colfax in Denver just North of the Capitol Building.  We were casually strolling on the sidewalk talking  about "back in the day".  It was dark.  Luis was carrying a badminton case.

Then I saw this mammoth figure looming and rapidly approaching us from an alley.  It had shaggy hair which added to it's size.  Oh, Jesus, it's Sasquatch!  My only thought was "Omygod, we're dead."  I don't remember saying a word to Luis nor did Luis utter a sound.

This obviously insane man, who I later learned was aptly named Diablo, reached us and centered himself in front of us.  As the man approached Luis had been fumbling with something.  He opened the badminton case and pulled out a stiletto.  Holding it palm up he pointed it about three inches below Diablo's belly button and said in a flat voice, "Look, youse has got your choice.  Youse can keep on going or youse can get stuck.  Which is it?"

Diablo apparently wasn't as crazy as he looked.  I never saw anyone that big disappear  so fast.

Twice more in my life after this was I doomed to cross paths with Diablo.