I know an apparently homeless woman at the coffee shop. She usually carries a copy of “Forbes” with her or a finance book, favoring a biography of someone like Bogle. She likes that particular coffee shop because they allow her to stay there undisturbed for hours, when they close, goes to another one across the street, doesn’t seem to buy anything. She does have a cell phone, is always very clean and well groomed, goes to a membership gym where I assume she showers. I’ve never been able to pin her down about where she lives, maybe stays in shelters or sometimes with relatives in the suburbs.
Could be the man in the article was “off.” That certainly seems the case with my acquaintance. SO avoids her because she is a bit crazy; but who wouldn’t be at the bottom of the economic chain? I try to talk to her about once a month which seems to be my limit. Everything for her is in the future, she will start a catering business, drive a cab, there is an affordable room nearby.
She had experience helping disabled people, working as a companion; saw her in action one day helping a semi-blind old guy get a ride home. He thought every car was a cab, and waved his cane at it. No one else tried to help him or even notice he was in trouble. She talked someone into leaving their coffee behind and giving the guy a ride home.
