Thursday, April 20, 2006

The Homeless Man by the Freeway

I've been meaning to write about this for awhile...There's this man who stands off of the 68th/70th St. offramp and I-94 Eastbound. He's usually holding one of those signs that says "Will work for food." I'm not going to make some snide comment about the guys sign.

But one day when I was coming home from work and was stopped at the stoplight, there was a minivan stopped in front of me. It was a kinda crappy day out, sorta rainy and gross. The kind of day where I wouldn't stand outside with a sign even if I were poor because you'd probably end up with pneumonia. Anyways, I digress...

So, the van driver opens the window up and hands the man something. It took me a minute to focus on what it was. But do you know what it was???

A milk chug of Nestle Quik...and the strawberry kind! I'm not saying that in a good way, either. That stuff is nasty. Now, if you're trying to be nice to the guy...fine, that's one thing. But, Strawberry Quik? C'mon now...didn't you have some tiny goldfish crackers or a granola bar or something in your car?? I almost wanted to hand the guy the cake I had in my backseat to make up for the Quik, I felt so bad for him.

I remember once when I was in Boston, Imaeyen and myself were waiting for the T and a homeless man came up to us asking for food. We both carried our lunches or snacks with us to school and work. So, she gave him some cereal and I gave him some grapes.

I bet he was glad he didn't get Strawberry Quik!