The last time I saw Charlie he was crossing the street, I think to avoid me. I called out to him anyway, and he stopped and waited for me. I was shocked at his unkempt appearance. He was obviously very high. I knew about his struggles with alcohol, but this was something entirely different, and frightening at best. I asked him how he was and he looked at me blankly. I did not waste time, but told him right away that he needed serious help and I would help him get it. I wanted him to go immediately to a detox center but he looked at me with bloodshot eyes and just said that maybe he would go tomorrow. I told him tomorrow may be too late and we argued back and forth for about ten minutes. He finally walked away, saying he would call me. I knew he wouldn't. That was the last time I saw Charlie.

Actually, that was not the last time I saw Charlie. I saw him at the funeral home two weeks later, lying in a casket.