Meet James

This is James. Met him in Downtown Crossing in Boston. He was leaning over a trash can and had a pose as if this was his corner. A large, hand-painted sign declaring, “You must be born again,” — Jesus, leaned next to him, balanced between a trash can and a street pole. I asked, “how are you doing,” and he told me he was fine. I immediately complimented his hair, which was like a lion’s mane and, using hand gestures, he proceeded to tell me it used to be a lot longer — and wider.

He looked like he might be unhoused so I asked and he said yes, that he slept on the streets as he disliked shelters. He had very large uncashed check in his pocket but claimed he couldn’t cash it because he’d lost his identification and it cost $20.00 to get a new one. Usually I give money to homeless folks if they need it — many don’t or say they don’t — but didn’t have cash on me that day. So we talked about his past and how he ended up here. James told me he had a tough childhood with abusive parents, drugs and alcohol. Was drinking at six and dealing shortly after. Clean now. At one point he had been doing better, working as a graphic designer. But things went downhill for any number of reasons. Told me he believes in Jesus and often has his Jesus saves sign with him. We has kind, conversational and polite.

I asked if he had places to get food and told him about a church where I volunteer with a writers group. He actually showed up the next week, so I got to serve him breakfast, talk some more and even scribe for him as he penned his first piece as a new member of the group.