I am learning that people who are from here divide their lives into 2 distinct periods, "before the storm" and "after the storm". Even after experiencing Hurricane Katrina myself, I have failed to understand what a profound impact that day had on the fabric of this community's culture and identify.
Today I talked to Stuart. We were on the ferry together yesterday morning, too, and this morning we struck up a conversation. Stuart works at an Italian clothing store. He's just recently moved back to take care of his ailing father, having moved to Florida after the storm.
Before the storm he was a bail bondsman and, while the retail industry is a comfortable enough living, Stuart is taking his continuing education studies and preparing to be relicensed as a bondman. His reason for doing so is beautifully perfect.
"People might not always be wanting to buy fine Italian clothes, but they will always be going to jail."
Truer words were never spoken.
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