Styrofoam on my hands, three boys looking at me, two on theirs bikes, one on the corner. What are they wanting it to? I just open my food, it is 3 P.M. and I am already starving, had no food all day. In a lucky day you can get 100 dollars in alms or an extra tomato on your meal. Today I got 3 tomatoes. My prostate thanks. Tomatoes are good to prostate.
The boys start to come closer, I hear their steps and look, they look into my eyes, they are so small. No one come closer this way if isn't wanting something. One come around me, stand just by my side, pull out a knife, and say: hey, fuck, give me your shoes.
This stress' not good to my prostate. I just up my head looking at him, give a short, sympathetic smile and start eating back my food. You can't fight while you are eating, this is a life cheat to live better. The boy is someone with goals, he says it louder, I need to answer something now. With my mouth full of food, I say: They won't fit you.
Man, you gotta a Nike. And not just a Nike, a Kobe one. I want this Mamba. It's classic shit.
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Boy, how old are you?
11. Why fuck?
On your age I was trying to steal others too. Stop while you still can.
The kid stopped, changed his face, but was still there, I stopped looking at him. He gave up and just went away, I think that he realised that the sneaker won't fit for real, isn't nothing hard to think. Thanks boy, let me continue my food.
It's Wednesday, most known as the burning beggar day. Have you ever noticed that homeless use to be more killed on Wednesdays? I don't know why, but probably 'cause it is the day you have nothing to do. Whatever. Mike is coming: Hey, Mike. Just fine?
Yeah, yeah. And you? Want to meet the ice H?
No, no. Thanks, I just had lunch. Maybe later.
Mike goes. He is the dealer around. Wasn't me who told you that. His eyes stop on my feet before he moves on.
New shoes? Where did you get it?
Relax, Mike. I am not selling and not stealing.
Not by that.
I won't trade it either.
Fine.
Mike goes.
I stand in front of a bankrupted store, my favorite place. Here I can stay without anyone annoying me. I really like to keep sometime just seeing other people, seeing what they are doing, they are talking, imagining what they are going to do next, what they are. Being homeless, this is one of the few things that becomes easier, people on the street don't look back. Everyone knows the rule, don't look to a homeless in the eye, he will talk to you, or worse.
Or worse means so much and have just two words.
It is 6 P.M., night time, bad time. Further on wednesdays. I will find somewhere to sleep. I go talk to Merlim, he lives on other blocks, more organised ones. Merlim sees me before I say something, he says first: Wednesday, huh?
Yeah, yeah. You know, the don't want to die talk. Can I sleep with you all?
Yeah, you are no trouble. But you know the rules, don't touch anyone while in sleep, don't steal and for God's sake no alcohol.
Ok, ok, I have no alcohol with me.
Can I see your bag?
Sure.
He puts it on the floor. Looks. Nothing. He is always suspicious. Fire fear, I understand.
Go that way, you are going to lay down beside John, he is new here, you are going to like him.
I hate everybody, why would I like him? Laugh. I am sure he will be a great roommate.
Ok, one last stuff, where did you get this nike from?
Oh, this. Do you remember the Nike Boycott stuff? I was barefoot by that day, and saw a stupid guy making a fire pit to burn all his sneakers, so I had two reasons to punch him on the face, I did it and got my nike. Thanks Colin, Nike or even this Trump dumb, from this day on I have some to walk on.
Great. Nothing and no one should finish being burned. Let's keep it this way. Come on.
I am going to sleep, each one has its own part on the sidewalk, I arrange my stuffs and lay down, tired day. The cardboard is my pillow, I write my thoughts on it. I just hope that boy doesn't end up like me.
.
.
.
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