Last night it was late and freezing, it's always late and freezing in Chicago. I was waiting for the #36 bus which is a torture beyond all others because I know that even if it does eventually arrive I still have to walk four blocks again once I get off it. A homeless man approached and asked for a cigarette. I decided years ago that this is God's way of reminding me I shouldn't smoke so I always give them to people who ask. Then he started in on his spiel about how he's a decent guy just trying to make it and I completely cut him off, "Hey Buddy, I'll tell you what. If I had any cash right now I would be in a cab." He smiled and said "Understood" and started walking. But to both his and my surprise I continued on. "Anyone waiting for a bus in this weather has no cash, and that much is a fact." He was halfway down Broadway. "There's no reason to stand out here freezing your ass off when it's a five dollar cab ride to my house, so if I had money to spare that's where I'd be using it." He turned and disappeared down a side street. "I mean, you ask me for a cigarette and I gave it to you which is more than most people might do, but is that enough? No." A tiny older woman appeared, looked at me with concern, then wrapped her arms more tightly around her packages and spent the rest of the wait avoiding eye contact with me.
I'm going to get myself killed aren't I?
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3 comments:
Haha... This cold Chicago weather will do that to you. Make you crazy that is.
You want cold, come here, but no public transport (which sucks since we still only have the one car:( but come here anyway! And quit smoking already. Your a big girl. And yes, you may end up in some sort of scuffle someday...
Nothink wards off crazy like crazy.
Reminds me of the time I made a crazy old man in Jewel cry.
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