It is with deep sadness that I announce the death of one of our own, Manuel Gonzalez. He was a special member of our car wash family and he will be sorely missed. The dark and gloomy cloud has not departed from where you used to stand and ask jokingly (but with very serious intent) for $20, screaming "Venti! Venti!", so you and the guys could get a case of some ice cold beer to share and enjoy each other's company after a long hard day. Of course, you'd always get it out of me or Dave.

It also looms over me. My last interaction with you was not a great one. You showed up drunk on a day you were supposed to work and asked to borrow money while your seemingly impatient friend behind you egged you on to hurry up. I scolded you and told you that your privilege of borrowing money was going to be revoked if it were to ever happen again.

The clouds even turned gray all day the day of your funeral. Prior to arriving, I'd been in such disbelief that maybe, just maybe this all was some sick ruse, only to be hit with the harsh reality that this was truly the situation and not just some fallacy once I gazed upon your body lying in that coffin.

Upon arrival, all your other brothers from the car wash had arrived and huddled hesitantly near enough to see, but far enough to stay in the fantasy that this all was just some prank. I stood there in quiet contemplation in unison with them, it had only been the second funeral I'd attended in my life. I felt out of place because I was surrounded by people whose language I could not communicate well enough with, however, your family made sure I had everything I needed and was taken care of, which I'm grateful for.

It touched me to see how nearly everyone had shown up to pay their respects to your final goodbye. Furthermore, it touched me to see how they all gathered with such strong unity to show you off of this world with one last Negro Modelo as everyone went around saying a thoughtful memory about you.

When I found out that you had passed, it shocked me, it shocked us all. You were the reason why people laughed and you were why everyone always got free beer. This was all attributed to your efforts. You were a gentle soul and didn't deserve to leave this Earth this early.

You were apart of our family and left us too soon. I only hope that you are watching us all from the skies and I hope you are wearing decent shoes, although you may not need them anymore.

With love always,

Jeff

P.S.

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