Red Room Where the Writers Are

I’ve spoken to dozens of homeless people in my lifetime, just not with an actual viable purpose behind it, other than to acknowledge them, say "hello" or give them food. For some reason, asking them for something made me a little shy out of the gates. I decided to take a little drive into the country today and on my way, I noticed Steven. I figured, today was a better day than any to start this project for real. I practically stalked the guy. I pulled over 3 times. Trying to avoid jumping out of the bushes at this guy, like a freak, I finally seized the perfect opportunity when he walked across the street to the gas station. I parked, got out just as he was walking by, and asked him if I could buy him a drink and a sandwich. The one thing I noticed about him was that his eyes were a striking sapphire color, and very kind.

I got him some food, came back out and handed it to him. He was soft spoken and very appreciative. He even set the food down, as if to be polite while I was talking to him. I explained to him my project and basically just tried to engage him in conversation.

I asked him his name. He held out his hand and said his name was "Steven". I gave him mine and then asked him where he was headed. "Probably Oregon", he said as if it were only a couple blocks away. Turns out, Steven is a 49 year old father and has been homeless for a year. When I asked him how he became homeless, he very calmly said that "sometimes it’s just about losing a job at the wrong time and not being able to recover". He said the hardest thing he faces is that most employers require you to have an address on an application and that obviously he doesn’t have a phone either, so it’s hard to find work unless he is hired on the spot. I asked him what he felt the biggest prejudice society had about him and he replied without pause, "that we’re lazy and don’t want to work".

I would have liked to have spent more time, but I was far away from where I needed to be to pick my son up from school. I asked him if he would mind if I took his picture and he said "I normally don’t like my picture taken, but if it is for a good cause and will help people, I don’t mind". I snapped a shot and wrote my number down on a piece of paper for him. I told him he could call it collect and asked him, if he felt inclined, to check in with me and let me know how he’s doing. He said, "Sure, I’ll call you if I find a job or just to let you know how I am". As I started to say my goodbyes, he kept talking. I could tell he appreciated the conversation. He shook my hand, we both gave each other a "thank you", and I left.