Jerry

07.28.2013

Love Park

“Would you sit for me? I want to paint your portrait.” “I would rather not to.” “What if I pay you two dollars for thirty minutes?” “Five for an hour.” “I don’t need an hour. Two.” “Five” “I’ll pay you three for forty minutes.” “Four.” “Okay, I am leaving.” “Miss… miss! Come back! I will sit for you for three dollars.”

“Are you from around here, Jerry?” “No, from West Philly. Where are you from?” “From Russia.” “Do you know people around here, Jerry? There are usually big groups of guys playing cards, skateboarding, having fun…” “I am on my own. It’s my second day here. I don’t know nobody here, and I don’t want to know. I have a thinking to do.” “What kind of thinking?” “What I am to do. I had an operation on my knee, you see? I am waiting for disability” “What happened?” “I was hit by a car.” “When?” “In October” “Did it happen around here?” “No, in Frankford. “ “What were you doing there?” “I lived there." “Are you living here in the streets now?” ”Today is my last day. I am going to rent a cheap hotel.” “So you got on disability?” “No, I am waiting. In this country everything takes time, Lena. But I am going to rent because I got some savings. I'd like to be able to take a shower every morning.” “So you worked?” “Yes.” “You know, Jerry, we should make up our mind which way you are looking. You either face me, or look that way, because I need some stability here.” “You should always ask people to face you when you paint, then they won’t argue too much.” “Why?” “I don’t know if I should say it…” “Go ahead.” “Because you represent a big variety to look at: you got nice feet, full beautiful legs, well proportioned body, and kind blue eyes.” “That is sweet, Jerry, I liked how you put it: a big variety to look at… What did you do for living?” “Windows.” “Did you wash windows or made them?” “I made windows. I am a welder. It was not as glorious as it sounds; the pay was low. I am not a proud person. I like to be quiet. Not that I don’t like to be noticed at all, but I am not an exhibitionist either.” “You are modest.” “Yes… Is this what you do for living?” “No. I do it for fun." “What do you do for living, then?” “I lead an art workshop for people with intellectual disabilities. What is your hobby, Jerry?” “I cook.” “That’s nice. Who taught you?” “My mother. Yeah, my mama always had it right…” Is she alive?” “Yes, she is living… “ “Are in touch with your folks in West Philly?” “Very much so….  So, when did you start doing this, Lena?” “You mean painting people on the streets?” “Yes.” “I started in April” “How often do you come here?” “Once a week.” “You drive here for two hours every week?” “No. It only takes about half an hour…” “Do you ever get tired? Do you ever want to take a break?” “Since my youngest left for college I have time to do what I really like.” “I got kids, too. My daughter is twenty-six. She works in the IRS building, and my son is twenty-one. He is in Afghanistan now.” “Oh, he joined the army?” “Yes, deployed just after training, only half a year now.” “Back in the day, before I came here, Russia fought the Afghan war; now it’s America. This war follows me. In 1980 American athletes boycotted Russian Olympics protesting this war. I was a political action that feels irrelevant now." “When did you come to this country?” “Nineteen eighty nine. It makes it twenty four years ago.” “What do you think of Philly?" “I like Philadelphia. But I don’t really know West Philly. I know Center City and suburbs.” “And why ‘s that?” “You think it is racism?” “No, I don’t think it is racism. Racism is hating for no reason, but this is just not knowing.” “You have no idea, Jerry, how it feels to come to a new country! We didn’t even speak English… Naturally, we reached out to the  more familiar culture,” “So, how many black friends do you have now?” “One… and couple people at work, but my kids have more. Jenkintown is mostly white community, so even that one black friend I have feels more like coming to the white culture then visa versa.” “I see. So what did you learn about black culture?” “I learned that when you interact with black people, it’s like a wave of energy coming your way. You better catch the wave and get into the rhythm, then it is fun.” “Black people have a lot of energy, that's true, but they are also laid back.” “That’s true, black people are relaxed and friendly. Here we go, Jerry, forty minutes are up.” “I don’t even know if I should take your money… but I need it…” “But of cause you do. Everything according to arrangement.”