The narrator shares a personal story about his childhood, growing up with a mother who owned a bar and was friends with a woman named Z, a Cuban immigrant who became a major drug dealer in New York. The narrator's mother died when he was young, and Z took care of him, visiting his mother's grave every Sunday and bringing him gifts.
As the narrator grew older, he became involved in the drug scene and eventually moved to Colorado. He lost touch with Z but continued to struggle with addiction. He eventually got sober in 2007.
The narrator then shares a story about attending a memorial service for a comedian friend who died of cancer. At the service, he encountered a producer who had wronged him in the past, and he became angry. However, instead of confronting the producer, he took a step back and realized that he had stood up for his friend, even in death.
The narrator reflects on how this experience helped him make peace with his past, including his feelings about Z and his mother. He concludes that he has learned the value of true friendship and loyalty, and that he strives to be a good friend to those around him.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The narrator's mom had a bar where she met a woman named Z, who was a close friend of hers.
2. Z and the narrator's mom knew each other in Cuba before moving to the United States.
3. Z married a man in Chicago, but the marriage was abusive, and the narrator's parents helped her escape.
4. Z became a drug dealer in New York City, specifically in the area of 113th Street and 5th Avenue in Spanish Harlem.
5. The narrator would often visit Z, who would give him money and introduce him to her lifestyle.
6. After the narrator's mom died, Z helped arrange the funeral and made sure the narrator was taken care of.
7. The narrator learned about the importance of real friendships from Z, who was fiercely loyal to those she cared about.
8. The narrator and Z lost touch after he moved to Colorado, and he didn't call her for five months.
9. When the narrator finally called Z, he learned that she had been raided by the police and had lost everything.
10. The narrator felt guilty for not being there for Z and didn't speak to her again after that.
11. The narrator struggled with cocaine addiction for many years but eventually got sober in 2007.
12. The narrator attended a memorial service for a friend who had died of cancer, where he saw a producer who had wronged him in the past.
13. The narrator confronted the producer and considered getting into a fight, but ultimately decided against it.
14. The narrator reflects on how his experiences with Z and his struggles with addiction have shaped him into the person he is today.