The Yenta and the Homeless Man
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Is it wrong to flirt with a homeless man? Oh wait, I should be clear here – he’s been flirting with me…but I accept the flirting. I can’t be mean to someone standing on a corner with a sign. Just to explain how lame I can be - I can’t even get myself to look at what he writes on that piece of cardboard. Plus, he now has a name – it’s David.
The background story: I walk to the gym. I used to go five days a week, but with my latest job, I’m lucky if I get there even twice a week. On my route to the gym I pass a corner that is very popular with the homeless population. I’ve been doing this walk for the past three years and there have been different “regulars.” David is now a regular. He told me his name last week. I don’t know what I was expecting, but not “David.” It just sounded so normal, so regular…
With all the “regulars” I pass, I always try to say “hello” or “good morning.” More people should do that. Sometimes I just wave. When I do walk by and wave, David often shouts at me, “I love your smile” or “Don’t workout too hard. I like your body the way it is.” Sweet, huh?!? Or a little creepy? Anyway…
So, I finally stopped to talk with him, afraid to have an actual conversation but always wondering why is this guy standing on a corner? How can I have a conversation with someone who is clearly in need to help – someone who needs more help that I can give them? David called me out for not saying “hello” to him last week as I walked down the street with my sister. He was right. I did try to walk by quickly and pretended not see him. Ugh, I’m afraid to even acknowledge the reason why I might have done that.
Today, he pulled out some CDs and said, “This is what I do.” The CD he held in his hand contained stories he had written and pictures he’d created. “I sell them for $5,” David told me. He wanted to give me one but I said I couldn’t accept it because he should keep them to give to people who can really help him with his career. The sad part is that I did have $5 in my pocket. I was keeping it for the Coffee Bean latte that I really wanted after my workout. We said our goodbyes and after my workout I felt like a total loser. But I skipped the coffee and headed back toward home quickly, knowing I would buy his CD instead.
As I turned the corner and David wasn’t there, I felt really sad. I wondered where he went and if I missed something special on his CD. So, I promised myself to always carry $5 on me should I ever see him again…Yenta out.
