I live in Chicago… If you’ve ever been here, you realize we have a large number of homeless.
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.
great little story. thank you, Melinda. for responding “yes” – and then for sharing with us too. may we all have a yes is our spirit.
Mel, you’re awesome. I love homeless people too…they’re always real with you. Wish I was hangin out in Chicago with you!
Awesome story! I love the way you write.