Dudley Square

Friday I left work, and as I was getting into my car, I heard somebody screaming. I turned around, and there was a lady who asked me if I came out of the food pantry. I said no. She then told me a story about staying in a shelter and somebody stealing her monthly T-pass, so she can't get to Fitchburg. If I had anything to help her get on the T, she'd take me and buy me something in the store on her EBT card (though she don't want to take food from her babies) for the same amount b/c she doesn't have cash. I told her I would go to the bank and cash a rebate check for 9 dollars and give it to her, and be back if she stayed there. She looked at me and said, "You're not going to come back. You just want me to stand here? Can't I ride with you?"--Ma'am, I don't know you. I can't put you in my car, but if you walk to meet me there, I will have it. "Okay."

I went and got the money and then I had to look for her. Why am I looking for her? Because she might believe me and if I don't find her, I play into her belief that people lie. Certainly they do, but I don't. There's a Bank of American bank and ATM. I went to the ATM. Guess where she went? To the bank. Well, I'm walking around looking for a homeless person (how do you lose a homeless person? deja vu Chicago) and the illegal taxi people are asking me if I need a taxi. (I have keys in my hand.) Then one of the women taxi drivers with huge sunglasses and a jacket in 90 degrees says,"I hope you not out here waitin on your boyfriend or no n%^&* that didn't show up....Because you are beautiful. Don't even need makeup. Don't ever wait for no n#$%^, sweetheart. If he care, he will be on time." Okay, I must remember that. I told her I was looking for somebody who needed help and she said,"They must have got help from somebody else. Don't wait for nobody."

I would hope that my imaginary boyfriend would not ask to meet in Dudley Square, but who knows? Last dude I met in Dudley asked me to go out to the movies or something, and when I told him to give me his email address, he said he didn't have email or a business card. (Flag!) Then he asked me for some money so he could get some food. (Yes, that's what I said. I gave him a dollar. We didn't go out.)

I looked down the corner and there was my homeless friend. In front of the bank. I gave her 10 dollars, she said thank you and commenced to conversation. "You growing locks?" No, ma'am. If it gets wet, the twists will come out. "Oh, you got baby hair." I just turned 30, so I don't think it qualifies, but I'll take it. "Thank you."

Lesson: Love Dudley Square. Don't wait on no _______. Don't lie to homeless people. (I know how it feels, and it only lasted 2 weeks.) It's almost like your boss lying to you about your raise.