The "Faces of Strangers: #19" Story

"Shep"

It was an ordinary day.  Talking with the parking lot attendant Shepard that is collecting money from arriving cars at the City of Ocean City, NJ Municipal Parking Lot on 9th Street.  Not busy this early in the morning, since most people are just awakening and preparing for their day on the beach.  Last couple of days I have been stopping to talk on my way to the Boardwalk to get a morning newspaper.  Shep, as he prefers to be called, is a retired cook who worked at Shafto's Restaurant on Asbury Avenue between 12th and 13th Street in Ocean City for many years.  I told him I used to bring my family to Shafto's in the late 70s to eat while on vacation in Ocean City.  Enjoyed sitting on the benches in front of the place while waiting on our table.  Told me he probably cooked our meals for us.  Has lived in Ocean City for over 50 years and enjoys to interact with the many visitors he comes in contact with during the summer.  I told him I know just how he feels.  We talked about retirement and how we both need to do something to avoid the boredom that comes from sitting at home all the time.  He works the early shift, leaving at 2:30 PM.  While I was talking to him a young girl arrived with his work schedule for the month of July and asked how he is doing after his recent hospitalization.  Didn't want to talk much about that with her or me.  Told me he was working tomorrow and would look for me tomorrow to talk again.  Neat fellow who is close in age to me and shares some of the same values and outlooks on life.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.