I love the homeless.  

Particularly now that my job takes me around so many people who are far from homeless.  When I need to (and today was one of those days, after yesterday's high profile breakfast) I go out of my way to run into some homeless people.  I know there's always a community to be found at my favorite Starbucks-- it's in the Metra station. 

I was sitting today,  catching up on emails, and a man shuffled in, asking one well-dressed woman if she would consider buying him a cup of coffee.  She said no.  So he keeps walking, coming up to me and asking if I would buy him a cup.  I looked into his eyes and smiled.  "yes, sir.  Absolutely, I would."

The manager on duty told him he couldn't do that in here, couldn't get away with asking people for money.  He said he wasn't-- he was asking for a cup of coffee and I'd said yes to it.  She sighed deeply, saying well, you can't do that-- you can't make her buy you a cup.   

She looked pissed.  

Another worker took care of me, the same who had sold me my own cup earlier.  She smiled apologetically, obviously uncomfortable with her boss's reaction.  I smiled and shrugged, realizing this wasn't the place to challenge the manager who was obviously frustrated, but also realizing that the man wanted a cup of coffee.  As I placed my order for the cup, I put two dollars in the tip jar.  She smiled and said she wasn't going to charge me since I was getting a refill-- ordering the same thing I'd ordered earlier.  

I smiled and thanked her, then turned to my new friend.  

He thanked me and went over to add milk to his coffee.  I sat down to work on this blog.  He shuffled over.

-- Whatcha working on?

-- My blog, and emails.  (I show him my inbox)

-- Wow, that's a lot of emails!  You gotta respond to each of them?

-- Ha-- yeah.  That's why I'm here so early.  

-- Wow.  You're really cute!  

-- Um- 

-- Well you married?

-- No.  But it's quite intentional, actually.  

-- (He smiles at me again).  Thanks.  If I see you again, I'll buy you a cup.  Thanks for this today.  Have a good day.  

 It's been a good morning.  I needed that today.  Needed to be with someone who was grateful for a free cup of coffee.  Need to remember to be thankful for the cups of cold water and hot coffee in my life.