Dennis’ fist connected with the man’s jaw before he was able to complete the sentence. “Didn’t you learn anything from the last time you were here?” Last week Dennis had pulled this same man out of the passenger side of a different car because he harassed Brenda’s friend.
The next five minutes contained a cluster of fists, loud voices, and blood. Thuds from punches thrown, then a scream before the loud snap of a breaking bone filled the air.
Felix attempted to pull Dennis out of the mix but was unsuccessful. I rushed in and was able to separate everyone. Before the police could arrive, the crowd had dispersed. With nothing to investigate and no one to admit to a crime, the cops took off with only the namesof bystanders.
“All right, y’all. You need to leave. Now.” The owner of the motel kicked everyone out of the parking lot.
Felix and I crossed the lot to chill on the steps, but Quinn wasn’t having it.
“All of you. Out.”
Confused, I frowned.
“Get your shit. You’re out.” He stood with his hands on his hips, not willing to negotiate.
“For good?”
He nodded one. Finality.
Dennis had watched from afar and followed us up the steps to our room.
“Let me help. Y’all can stay at my place.”
FOUR HUNDREDdollars. I arrived in Dallas with close to three thousand; less than two months later, all I had to my name was four hundred.Shit.How in the hell did I blow through that much money?Whiskey, food, pills. Repeat. I did pay for a lot of Felix’s food and drinks, but still, I should have at least a thousand. I stopped counting a few weeks back.Double shit.
Goodwill had a store a few blocks to the east, Dennis led the way. We found a two-person tent, some camping supplies, and a couple of tarps. They wereripped but they would work.
As Dennis suggested, I kept my cash on me in three different places: my front pocket, sock, underwear. I bought what I knew I would need to live outside, just like in Alaska but warmer. Sleeping bag, containers to keep things dry, and a backpack big enough to store and carry a whole lot of stuff.
As we passed the liquor store, I bought two fifths of whiskey; if others in the community shared, I wanted to be sure we could repay the kindness to our new neighbors.
On the first day in our new home, we set up the tent and made our space as non-homeless as possible. After only an hour, we were finished.
Dennis walked us around the neighborhood and introduced us to some of the other folks. The commentary while we walked from one person to the next explained if the person was good or not so good. “Not everyone has your back, out here.” He warned us to be careful. “You’ll need those eyes on the back of your head.”
“I'm not sure if anyone uses their real names, because who would name their kid Griffin? Seriously. That, to me, sounds like something you would name your dog, but what do I know?” Dennis explained.
“I get that. That’s why Felix calls me Moose. I'm from Moose Pass, Alaska.”
“See! That’s exactly what I mean.” His eyes lit up. “Me, too. Well, not Moose, but Dennis because I'm a menace. Get it?”
I didn't.
“Ah, never mind. Follow me, I'll show you around.”
Most everyone had the same items stored in their area. A few things were considered community property. Five bikes, stacks of firewood, extra tarps, a large pile of rope, and two dogs.
At one time, these things belonged to an individual who most likely had thrown them in the garbage. Now, they belonged to everyone. It’s true what they say: one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
WE HAD SET upbetween Dennis and another of the longtime residents named Jed. He wasn’t one of the regulars in the motel parking lot, so we didn’t know of him, but he wanted to be helpful. “I saw y’all come in last night. You look like bad news.” He chuckled and held out his hand. “Welcome home. Newbies build the fire on their first full night.” We instantly connected.
I was well aware of how to start a fire, Felix, not so much. He was a quick study, though, and picked up the technique quickly.
Jed handed us firewood once we got it stoked. “You know, this doesn't have to be permanent. If you want toget out of this situation and change your life for the better, just put your mind to it. You'll be able to do it.”
“If that’s true, then why are you still here?” I genuinely wanted to know. For some reason, Jed felt familiar. I saw a piece of me in him.
Lawn chairs placed in a circle around the firepit allowed us to sit and enjoy the warmth. Jed sat in one and told us his story. He had lost his wife and son in a car accident. “I tried to live a normal life again but ended up in mental institutions. I couldn’t get a grip, couldn’t keep a job or friends. So, this is my life now and I’m just fine. I make money where I can and if I can't, I take what I need and only what I need. I’ve never hurt no one.”
