The Mystery Man

Including a photo would make him less of a mystery.

I haven’t seen the mystery man recently. So I’m going to rely on memory in an attempt to describe him. My last sighting was at least a couple of weeks ago—before a series of February snowstorms buried Bremerton and put bike rides on hold. I’m sure he’s fine though and will become part of my morning routine again soon.

Whatever route I take to get there, my morning bike ride always includes the half-mile of Kitsap Way from Taco Bell to Premier Rentals. Within that stretch of road the biggest commercial draw is probably the Kitsap Way McDonalds. On mornings that I see the mystery man, I think he’s headed there for a breakfast fix. One time, by accident, I confirmed that.

He either doesn’t have a car or he lives close enough to walk to breakfast. Typically, I will see him on the south side of Kitsap Way near the Kitsap Transit bus stop waiting for the pedestrian light to change so he can cross to the McDonalds side. There’s a Burger King on the south side a half block away, but he never seems to go there.

He’s a big man, perhaps an inch or two over six feet tall. Solidly built, not fat, in good shape. He’s got a full head of curly brown hair with a slight touch of gray coming in. No eyeglasses. As for eye color, I don’t know. I’m guessing he’s in his mid-to-late forties, but I’m not good with age. And any guess would be thrown off by the deep care lines in his face. He’s done enough worrying for our whole city. Often he’s talking to himself. I do that too, but I hide it better than he does.

He’s always dressed the same, no matter the weather. Hatless, blue jeans, a puffy blue down jacket zipped up to his neck, running shoes. I don’t think he owns any gloves as his hands are usually in his pockets. It’s a borderline homeless look.

One cold morning I was in McDonalds warming up my hands when the mystery man walked in. It occurred to me that I could watch him to see what he ordered. But that would be stalking. I grabbed a couple of napkins for my runny nose and left.

So what makes you remember one person and not another? I reach Kitsap Way each morning at about 9:00 AM give or take a few minutes. It’s likely that I see the same people at the Kitsap Transit bus stop several times a week. Yet I can’t describe any of them. Something about the mystery man makes me notice him.

We have never spoken, never nodded, never made eye contact. Years ago, a former girlfriend told me about a cute beach guy she used to see in a market near her home. One evening in the store one of them broke the ice with a remark and they ended up talking for about an hour. Clearly this man had noticed her before.

I don’t think that will happen with the mystery man and me. He’s seems too focused, too busy with his inner world. I think he’s going to remain a mystery.