Rick was selling Real Change, the newspaper peddled by homeless folk in Seattle, on Madison Street just off Boren. It was early afternoon, the day was still chilly and he was bundled up neatly, with nothing to suggest his status except the tabloid in his hand and his question to passers by, "wanna buy a newspaper?" Everyone I saw said "no." I gathered from talking with him that selling five a day might be about the norm.
I asked whether he were hungry. "A little," he said. But he jumped at the chance for a Subway Sandwich. "Let's split one," I said. "You can make the selection." He chose meat on wheat bread, without dressing. I had honey mustard dressing on my half, and we headed back out on the street so he wouldn't miss a sale. Total cost for the two halves: $6.58. He tucked his sandwich into his backpack; it will be his dinner, he said.
Rick became unemployed after the auto shop he worked for closed because the land was being sold. He worked for a Catholic organization for a while, but couldn't work now due to a disability. He was applying for SSI.
He has a trim, attractive blue backpack that held his mummy bag and he sleeps on the streets, a different place each night. I shared with him that the Lost Lake Cafe is a place where you can spend a cold night drinking coffee, and I found its address on my phone and shared it with him. As we talked I asked here he showered. He said he had some options and was familiar with the hygiene center near Pioneer Square.
Rick knew who "D" is (my Feb. 2 posting); he had seen him around, but didn't know him well.
I had to get home and get my car in the shop. Did Rick want my half of the sandwich, even though mine had dressing? Yes, he said, appreciatively. We shook hands, noting that we may meet again, since he works that spot regularly.
Meals distributed so far: 17.
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