The Tramp

We have a tramp in our neighbourhood he appeared overnight it seems. I do not know his name and he does not know mine. He does however, salute me when I go for my morning newspaper, “Good morning young lady” and I politely say “Good morning”

He sits on large cardboard pieces and has many blankets and sleeping bags to survive him these harsh winter days and nights. He surrounds himself with an array of stuff in his bindle which he empties out in full display for everyone to see. I have never given him anything to add to his collection as he seems to have well enough. He smokes roll-ups and drinks hot coffee from his thermos his head bent low rarely looking up.

The tramp bothers no one he merely sits or stands keeping a low profile and people pass by him solitary and unaware that he has just bade them “Good morning sir” Good afternoon lady.”

I see him everyday and when I don’t see him in his usual spot I always notice his bench neatly made, he has tidily prepared his bed with blanket and pillow. I wonder where he could be? Maybe he is in the Gentleman’s toilets nearby having a wash in the sink? I decide to walk down the hill instead of waiting for the bus, it’s bright and chilly out and there are many people about joggers, cyclists and everyday shoppers.

I remember to buy stamps and pop into the post office as am about to leave, the tramp walks in and in his commanding yet polite tone asks the salesman, “excuse me can you change a ten pound note for coins please”

The salesman replies “sorry we don’t carry any change or cash” the tramp thanks him and leaves. Now am intrigued and follow the tramp to each shop the bakery, the barbers, the bookshop and the flower shop. He asks the same question in the same tone and receives the same reply from each store person “sorry we don’t carry cash or coins in the shop”

After he leaves the last shop which is the fruit and veg shop, I purchase an apple and some bananas I take out a ten pound note and hand it to the assistant who takes my money and gives me change. I quickly run out to find the tramp and he is nowhere to be seen.

Slowly I continue to walk down the hill feeling sad with my pocketful of change, the jingle jangle of having coins in my pocket makes me feel rich and I think of the tramp with is new ten pound note silent against the palm of his hand feeling worthless.

I arrive to work and find out 2 of my clients have cancelled their session due to getting their booster shots and not feeling well. I close up the studio and begin my journey back home. On my last bus journey I board the bus and lo and behold there he is the tramp taking up 2 seats with all his plastic bags and his head bent forward asleep.

Social distancing has fared well in this case the bus is half full no one needs to wake him and ask him to move his bags off the seat, we are all aware of 2 metres apart. I stand and watch the tramp he barely moves and I know he will be getting off the last stop where the bus will arrive at his destination.

His last stop is my last stop also. When the bus pulls in he wakes up as if by magic he can feel he is home. He collects his belongings and we both step down from the platform, he makes his way to his neatly made bench salutes me “Good evening young lady”

I reply “Good evening Gentleman, good night and God Bless”