It was in the day. It was another era, Willie, Willie Smith`s era. He was simply known as Willie. He was low on cash as were most of us. He lived in a room at the back of Nick`s place. He could hardly make the rent. Willie helped Molly in The Yellow Door, a coffee house, now and then for a few dollars when she could afford his help. Much of the time, the shop was low on business. I`d stop in on Willie, and we`d talk for hours. Willie was pretty much a loner. One day, I told him I was going to town, to Gainesville, to Michael`s to pick up some art supplies. He asked me to get a couple of canvasses. That`s when I found out he was an artist, a painter. He said he`d pay me when he could afford it. He invited me into his place. He had done some pretty good paintings. And he had a lot started, not yet finished. I really didn`t expect money, but hoped one day I`d get a piece of art. After a while, I even forgot that. He kept cranking out his work and that`s what was important. He became an artist of some renown, participating in exhibits and shows. Eventually Molly moved her coffee shop to a larger place and Willie moved on to work for Don Fansler at the Captain`s Table. Don was a friend and the three of us would get together at The Table for coffee and occasionally a beer. Don`s son Danny and his wife Leslie were musicians. Their band was known as "Dock Street." Their music was superb. Some time back, in another state, Willie had a band of his own. Willie joined "Dock Street" as a guitarist. I found out that he, too, was a talented musician. Every time Willie played, he wore white cowboy boots. He took on the name "Willie White Shoes," and occasionally, just "Shoe." Willie was basically a loner, a very private person. When "Dock Street" went on tour, Willie rarely went along. He preferred to stay in Cedar Key painting at home and working, most generally in the bar and restaurant scene.
In spite of his talents, he seemed always on the edge of being broke. After several years he got a used Chrysler convertible. He kept it clean and in good mechanical shape. Years back at the Captain`s Table, there were four of us who visited most mornings - Willie, Don, Jimmy Mack and me. We always wondered who would go first and who would be left. Week by week the bets would be exchanged. The way it finally turned out was ironic.
I was the first one, ten or so years ago, who became deathly ill, spending months in Hospice. Jimmy Mack had a heart attack and survived only to die some time later following an auto accident. Don had a stroke and then some and died only a year or so back. "Willie White Shoes" has been ill off and on with something resembling pneumonia. And this past week he died, Molly seeing after him through his final days. He has touched many deeply in Cedar Key. And then, there is me, still around nearly ten years after spending several years in the final stages of liver failure, months of that in Hospice.
I`m fortunate to still be here in Cedar Key. But it hardly seems fair to those others so close, how it all turned out. I miss you Willie Smith, ole "Willie White Shoes." We all miss you deeply, Willie... You can find Trouble by email: tnckgebe@yahoo.com | 
