Most people go to the church of their choice
intent upon giving a donation
for the the well-being
of that house of worship.
I started attending Mass in Long Beach
for the opposite reason.
But first I must note that Tom
was my assistant when I volunteered
to be the librarian at a senior center.
He saw first-hand how seriously I took the job
[and the frequent breaks to step outside
as every cigaret addict needs to do].
I want to believe that he believed
my volunteerism was worthy
of some form of remuneration.
The first time I attended Saturday night vigil
at St. Anthony's, Tom asked how I was doing
and I told him I had the sniffles.
He reached into his pocket
and handed me a ten dollar bill.
Exactly one week later,
all I said to Tom was "Hello"
and another ten dollar bill
was given me.
This continued for three years
during which I learned that there was nothing unique
about Tom's Saturday Night donation to Paul Oliverio.
As many as a dozen people were regularly
on the receiving end of his generosity
and Tom QUAID became known as Tom WAD
because he always had a fat wad of cash in his pocket.
*******************************
Naturally, there is danger in Long Beach
when you walk around with a lot of cash
in your possession BUT...
three different "gangster/chollo"
types emphatically told me
that Tom Quaid had more protection
from harm than anyone else
in this supersized city.
I will repeat what I have said
many times before
—and dozens of people
of every religion, race,
and age group agreed—
"Never before and never again will I meet anyone
with more saintly qualities than...Tom Quaid"
By mutual agreement,
we hereby anoint him...
Saint Thomas Quaid
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