Freezing Cold & Wet

"I picked the rainiest winter season on record to be homeless", I often said. When I packed everything I owned in the old Honda to relocate to California, my thought was: If I am going to be homeless, I want it to be in a warm climate. Whoever thinks that poverty does not lead to homelessness has never lacked for money or affordable housing.

I love Long Beach in the summer; the constant cool breeze makes even the hottest days bearable. I came to hate that breeze and wind while living on the streets. Especially with all that rain. I was always freezing cold and wet. Having barely slept at night, one morning I crawled into that back corner, closed my eyes and was instantly asleep. As mentioned, I had seen many a homeless woman napping in the restrooms. "You are on the floor next to a toilet", I would tell myself. Shameful. But I was so tired. And cold. And wet.

I often took off the soaked coat, sweatpants and put on a dry pair of socks, hanging them over the stall walls; hoping they would dry a bit as I dozed. When I heard a maintenance truck I would jump instantly up and sit fully clothed on the toilet. As stated, I am short, but if the cleaner popped inside, I would stand to give the impression that I had not been caught sleeping in the bathroom.

The cleaners did not come until 9 or 10 usually, sometimes later. But some days one of the crew would hit all the restrooms to take out the trash and replace the bag. The man have to call out before entering. One of them did not do so. He was startled to find me there. Said he thought no one was up that early. Perhaps a little after 5AM. He was nice about it; told me I could stay there, he was only emptying the bag. Do not recall much after that, but vaguely recall complaining about him to Eddie, Shorty and the guys.