Surprisingly most of our old friends seemed to prefer this new version. He always had a story to tell about meeting people on main streets of Podunk towns, living out of his car, and other tidbits that seemed exotic and adventurous to those of us raised in the suburbs. He stayed with us for a few months before he set off again. Even as far back as that I could see the beginnings of a ritual forming with him. I think it was part of his deep stubbornness that he has kept to them so studiously all these years. He’d always stop by my house before he set off. We never said much, he’d just let himself in, sit on my couch for a while, and sometimes share some tea with me before he set off.