For over 29 years we owned and operated our Gay Pride stores.  We have met some very interesting people.  In the late 1990’s there was a street hustler/drug named Tommy. To say he was full of personality was an understatement. One day he came running into the store from the front door and tossed his wallet at us. Yelling keep it for me. Then ran out the back door. One minute later 2 big undercover cops came running in asking where did he go!!!!!  We just pointed to the back door. The cops caught Tommy and brought him back into the store demanding we give them the wallet.  We did give it back and they all left. We saw a lot of Tommy and his best friend Mike over the next couple years.

A couple of years later the police found Tommy dead in a Tampa park.  His family did not claim the body and it was cremated. The Brothers at the Catholic Church had what they called “A Gathering” for him. We went to the Gathering (celebration of life).  His friend Mike had become clean and bi sexual. Mike went on to have 2 good kids. Over the next 20+ years whenever Mike was in town he would stop by the store and often brought his kids.

Fast forward to 2024. Mike calls us and is at Tampa General Hospital. He was dying of cancer and wanted to see us. We asked what we could bring him. A Burger King Whopper would be great!!!  At the visit Mike said there is something very strange that I need to tell you.  He was in rural Georgia and stopped at a bar. He sat down and ordered a beer. Then behind him he could hear Tommy laughing!!! It gave him chilled up and down his back. He turned and there was an older Tommy standing. Mike went up to him and said Tommy, I cannot believe it we all thought you were dead. The man said I’M NOT TOMMY, turned and ran out the door. OMG WOW Do you think Tommy was in actually in the witness protection program???  We will never know for sure.  2 weeks later Mikes son called us and his Dad had passed.