I didn’t want to argue. Besides, Benny had already launched into a rambling story about his family’s failure to help him during his last flame-out. He said something about a deed, a loan, an uncollected inheritance he was owed. He might have been confessing something, but the facts didn’t really add up. The story changed even in the telling, and anyway, I barely listened. I’d carried the message I was asked to carry. I’d done my job. Now I just watched his teeth flashing in front of the blackness of his mouth, the life of the hard lines near his eyes. I wasn’t about to add to the weight of Benny’s trouble that day.

Out on the street, just before saying good-bye, Benny hit me up for money, slipping in the plea as if he hadn’t been waiting the whole time for his chance. He told me he was getting paid in a day and he just needed some cash to tide him over, but it was obvious there was no paycheck on the way. I had been expecting this on some level, but still, it came as a disappointment.

“I’m sorry, man,” I said. “I’m broke,” which was true, to a degree, though I had a lot more than Benny did.

“Come on,” he said. “Just a few bucks.”

“Dude, I’m running on fumes right now,” I said.

“It’s just a loan, man.”

I shook my head. “Sorry, man. Maybe next time.”

Benny’s face clouded. He tossed his hair and jammed his hands in his pockets. For a second I thought about giving him something just to avoid the coming hassle, but it turned out I had drawn my own line. I didn’t want to be used. I didn’t want to become just another anonymous mark on the sidewalk. I was hurt that Benny would mar what had otherwise been such a thoroughly decent interaction.

“Whatever, man,” Benny spat.

“I wish I could help out—” I said.

“Don’t give me that rap.”

“Dude. We’re having a good time.”

“You always looked out for yourself, didn’t you, Daryl?” Benny said. “We both know that.”

And then, without another word, he turned and walked away. He was done with me. I could have hurried and caught up with him and pressed a few bucks into his hand, but I didn’t budge. I just stood there, watching him overtake a limping black guy and hurry down the sidewalk, getting lost in the light of the oncoming traffic.

High above, the moon was full. The sky was colorless but beautiful. Thin clouds moved along the glassy slate.