Hand Outs

It was a blistering hot Texan day. I was sitting outside a gas station with my dog, working. I looked enviously across the lot at the air conditioned convenience store. Perspiring heavily, I wished I could work inside. Occasionally I would moisten my face with a wet rag from my duffel bag and sneak a drink from the paper sack. It was only a coke, alcohol in this heat would kill me. Plus booze was detected on my breath it would affect my job.

Some cars were pulling up beside the tanks. As the owners disembarked and started refueling I would cautiously approach them and ask,"Excuse me, can you spare some change for me and my dog to get something to eat and drink?"The first lady I approached replied with a curt, "No."I recited a few indian curses under my breath and went down the line of cars. One lady emptied the console between the bucket seats of her car and handed all her change over to me. One gentleman, getting ready to pullout, opened his wallet and pulled out a few bills. Another couple gave my dog some water they poured in their hands and followed that up with some tasty doggy treat. He licked their hands dry and gobbled up the feast with gusto. A few people suggested I get a job.(excuse me, this is a job!) One young couple offered to take me to their church so I could apply for assistance from their food pantry. I would get a substantial helping of groceries delivered to my home after my application was reviewed. I informed them I had no home. Oh, we can help with that also. I pocketed their church card, promised to read it (thinking to myself,LIAR) and proceeded on down the line of cars, my hand held out and my dog in tow.

I got told a time or two, "If you can't take care of yourself, you don't need a dog!"
I informed these people,"Living on the streets it's important to have protection. I can't afford a security system."

It was getting late and hotter as the sun rose into the afternoon sky. I finally entered the air conditioned convenience store and purchased a gatorade and health food bar. The people in line eyed me suspiciously. They inched back as if poverty was a contagious disease, (I felt tempted to cough violenty and not cover my mouth.) Or maybe they thought I would jump all of them and take their precious hard earned money. Well, I worked hard for mine also. It's not easy sitting outside all day pleading for handouts.

Deciding it was time to move on I tugged on Faithful's leash and guided him up the street rounding several blocks, stopping now and then at street corners with heavy traffic to hold up my,"Need food for me and dog, God Bless" sign. Most people don't carry food with them so they flung money at me hurriedly before the lights changed from red to green. I didn't mind gathering coins from the curbside where they rolled. I've got no pride, but I'm loaded with greed.

I entered a different gas station bathroom ,washed up at the sink, then changed into some clean clothes I carried in my duffel bag. I applied some make-up, then preened in front of the mirrow. Next I dumped the contents of a medium sized pouch out on the counter and counted my blessings. Two hundred and fifty dollars. (plus some candy,sandwiches, and religious brochures which made it to the trash bin) Not bad for a days work of 6 hours. That's about forty two bucks and hour, without a high school education.

I then crossed a parking lot where two cars were parked under a tree. I walked up to the shiny silver Lexus and admired it. Pressing my face to the windows I drooled over the leather upholstery, the console, the radio, the spacious back seating. Boy. I'd love to have a car like this someday. I'll have to work harder to achieve something this nice. The other car was a fairly new Pt. Cruiser. It was kept in excellent condition. Nice bright red color, nice interior, good mileage. It will do. I looked about me, carefully. I jammed my hands deeper into my pockets and pulled out a set of keys. Glancing up and down the street, hoping to not get caught, I pushed the remote button, unlocked the back door and let Faithful onto the seats covered with a nice flannel throw. Then, swinging my knapsack in, I got behind the wheel and started the engine and cooling system.
It sure will be nice to get home and take a nice cool swim in the backyard pool while sipping a wine cooler, but first, a trip to my bank to get all this darn change deposited so I can pay this month's bills. See ya'll suckers again tomorrow!