bandits and princesses

It's dreary here but the sun peeked through a bit through the cloudy grey so we decided to walk to the outdoor market and get some air. M, see, she needs this air because she's contrary these days, everything is no, no with stomping, wailing, no.

So we walk. We walk and at one point practically have to drag M, her contrariness revived by the cold air. We walk through the market and out the other side and down around the block on our way to an actual store for necessary sundries and ah, in search of a princess dress. M, see, she's been wanting a princess dress for the longest time and against my better judgment and her overbearing contrary we decided to see what we could find.

So as we head towards a big box we hear something loud. A roar of sorts. Jen. I stop and look back and barrelling over is a guy I know from the streets. He crosses over and walks right up, I can smell him as he approaches, scotch, I think. Maybe whiskey. Ah, I say quietly, to J. I like this guy but he's kind of crazy.

He reaches us and says hello and I introduce him to J. I know this guy, he says and he punches J on the arm and grabs his hand. You've brought him around before. I don't think so but I am glad you guys are finally meeting now. Ah, that musta been another guy. And laughs and punches J again. The men talk for a minute but I soon interrupt, where you staying where you been how are you you look too thin. He looks at J and rolls his eyes. She's always meddling and wanting to help when some people just want to talk but then turns to me and is serious for a minute and says I'm sick of the shit over there and I've been pretty sick too. I'm still taking medicine and trying to figure out a place. I remind him of an earlier conversation, a guy who can help, I know, he says, we've just lost track. I get his voicemail number and stick it in my pocket while he plays with M. She's contrary, I warn and say more quietly, she's been a pain in the ass all day. She's a kid, he says, it's all she's got.

What are you guys doing over here, he asks and I tell him feeling sheepish now about the princess dress, feeling utterly pedestrian talking about things we don't need to buy with a guy who sleeps outside. I notice he needs a shave and really has gotten thin. Ah, I should take J with me then and leave you to it, we could go shoot some pool. J laughs and probably thinks that sounds better than today has been so far too but would never say it out loud. Well, you guys take care, you know J, I've known your woman a long time, ten years or so, probably longer than you. She's good people but I bet you know that already. I smile and look away, in these moments both worlds collide and it's never quite comfortable, his poverty and the disparity of all of it challenges me, especially out in the open on a Saturday.

J smiles and says ten years, man, that's great. I'm glad I've finally gotten to meet you too. They lapse into the universal language of men, football picks and the big game next Sunday. He's got to go so he gives me a hug and shakes J's hand, rubs M's hair and hops back on his bike. Too late I remember we have a banana, one I brought along for M. He rides off and I say aimlessly we should have given him that banana, he's probably hungry and J nods and says ten years? Yep, I respond, but he went away for seven of them on some bullshit charge and I remind him of the story he's already heard. Seven, he says, and we fall silent for a minute until M reminds us where we are supposed to be going with a stamp of her foot.