That pretty much was all I did every day, a repeat soundtrack of ‘’spare some change sir?’’ accompanied with a continued polite smile in the hopes that someone, anyone, would take pity and grace me what little they had to spare from their pockets, just so I was able to spend that one night out from the cold.
At best, and on a lucky day, I was able to at least collect enough for a cheap sandwich and drink at a nearby coffee house. At worst, it was the uncomfortable hollowed rumble of my stomach hungering for food, as I camped inside open doorways, sheltering myself as best I could away from the world inside my sleeping bag.
It was certainly no life for someone who still had all hers ahead of her. But right now it was the only life I knew…stemmed horribly from a difficult choice I had to make at a vulnerable age. I never regretted that choice though. And if faced with it all again I’d make the exact same one, because even with the run-down life I now live, anything was better than what I had to go through.
‘’There you go Miss’’ an elderly gentleman said, his aged hands carefully steadying his cane as he leaned down and dropped a very generous $10 dollar bill into my hat.
‘’Oh gee thank you Sir, thank you so much’’ I smiled gratefully up at him, and could feel my eyes instantly well with water in elated happiness, as I now had enough to afford a night at the homeless shelter a few streets away.
‘’You’re welcome’’ the man nodded with a small smile, sorrowfully lowering his eyes from me as I see most people do, most that is who linger long enough to look into mine.
It was called guilt.
Guilt that they couldn’t do more to help me, guilt along with human curiosity over how a girl so young still, could end up in such an unprivileged situation.
I didn’t blame them of course, it wasn’t their fault. It was just the card I was dealt from a very weak pack. We all had our lives to deal with I guess, and this unfortunately just happened to be mine.
I watched the man hobble away with his arm outstretched to catch the next approaching bus, and away he went leaving me every gratitude my heart had to offer.
The timing was to perfection, as I glanced over up at the large clock above the bus terminus to the left of me, which read 10:02 pm.
I knew the shelter closed its doors at 10:30, giving me enough time to quickly fold my blanket, pocket up my money, and sling my heavy rucksack over my shoulder containing all I owned in this world -which in addition to my blanket and money, were really just a few extra shirts, jacket, boots, and emergency canned goods.
It was also the time I typically vacated my corner spot by the Vintage Seattle Boutique, as experience had quickly educated me about other homeless bodies of the opposite sex, ones who loved nothing more than pushing intimidation on those weaker at surviving the streets than they were.
The first and last time I was duped like that was during my virgin days out on the streets, where I was warmly approached by a young man looking just as broken as I was. Jeremy, he told me his name was, and had very kindly offered to share his food and drink with me, as well as shelter for the night inside his tent a few streets away. I of course went willingly in naïve desperation, and if it wasn’t for my agile legs being able to outrun him, the friends he had waiting inside his tent would have had a delightful evening at my unschooled inexperience.
I learned the code of the streets pretty fast after that, but even then there were always people lurking about, just waiting until you fell asleep…
I’ve been robbed more times than I could count by other homeless bodies inhabiting the area, most of which would you believe were by other females.
After that, I stuck mainly to the main streets. Better the dismissal of pride in front of those better off than me, than trying to save face through dignity on the exposed backroads of Seattle.
The city could be a dangerous place at times, especially for a female. But over the years I’d learned to look after myself, and it’s that knowledge and willpower that helps me get by today.
CHAPTER 2
All packed and ready to go, I hurriedly tied my hair up into a messy bun with the worn elastic I kept around my wrist, and headed on my way.
I preferred walking down through Madison Square to get to the shelter. I was familiar with that route, and frequented it most nights on my way to my preferred sleeping spot under the bridge, parallel to the metro. It was a quiet safe area for me to walk at night, as the unkempt shuffle of homeless bodies typically shied away from there, what with the area being so city slick and loiter-free. I expected of course the usual unpleasant frown from those around at the random hobo walking their neighborhood, but it didn’t bother me, not even in the slightest. In fact, it was worth the humiliation over the joy gained when treating my eyes to the fabulous homes that graced that neighborhood.
It truly was stunning! A real princess’s paradise with all the beautifully lit door lamps, perfect deco, and grand elegance someone like me could only dream of.
There was also on the way a nice cozy park still open that one could sit in, and where I could also check my reflection in my compact that I’d stolen once from an open market.
I wasn’t proud of some of the things I’ve found myself having to do over the years in the way of survival, which unfortunately petty theft had now become a part of my miserable life.
I tucked the concealer I used back into my pocket with a half-smile of satisfaction at my reflection. I guess it felt somewhat good to arrive at the shelter without looking like something out of a B-Rated zombie movie, from dark circles accumulated under my eyes from inconsistent sleep out on the streets.
I was just about to get going after checking my watch for time, when I suddenly saw a familiar car drive by me…
Habit made me scoot quickly behind a nearby bush, so as not to be seen by the tall gentleman in a dark business suit and white crisp open-collar shirt, who cruised by me in his suave-looking black Bugatti sports car with cool indigo lighting underneath.
I knew I wasn’t going to make it in time now for the homeless shelter, for every time I saw him it was as if my heart suddenly stopped beating.
He was different. Delectable. Every part of want and desire all rolled into one.
I’d see him often. And more often than not found myself shying away from him, shamefully hiding my dirty face under the material of my oversized hoodie, so my worn-out looks wouldn’t turn one so attractive as him to stone.