I leave for work everyday at 5 AM and stop at the local Quik E Mart to get a soda before I get on the freeway for my 50 mile commute. I have a smoke (don't try this at home) on the way to the store and usually have my windows rolled down as to air out my car.
The beggars at the store that I go to see me every day and always need “spare change” for a phone call, or to buy a bus ticket, or whatever story that they are using at that given time.
More often than not I give then whatever change I have, knowing full well that my spare change will probably be buying alcohol or cigarettes in a few hours.
My thought is that I would rather be scammed a few times than to not give money to that one person who actually needs help.
It is always the same three guys and I see them every day.
And the same dance occurs every day. I give them money, and they leave my car unmolested when I am in the store.
That is the way things used to work, until last week.
I arrive at the store and as I get out I am asked for change buy the one I call “Beardo”. I say sorry I do not have any, (which I don't) and enter the store.
I get my delicious soda, pay and exit the store to see the one I call “Many Coats” hunched over and half of the way through my open car window. He is riffling through my center console.
I yell at him and he pops out of my window and starts running down the street. He never even looked back to see who was yelling, he just lit off.
Even though Many Coats broke the unspoken truce between myself and the bums, I hold no animus towards him. I wish him well and hope he enjoys my old tin of lip balm and my dollar store sunglasses.
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