Maurice

07-07-2013

Love Park

There was a woman sitting on the lawn. A young woman. “I want to paint your portrait” “No portraits!” and she shielded herself with her elegant hand. She was so skinny that for a second I thought that she might be a guy.  There was a group of guys playing a game of cards right next to her. I already exposed myself, so I turned to one of them who was glancing at me, “Would you pose for me for a portrait,” “A portrait? Mmm… I am not sure,” and he whistled, “Hey, Maurice, come here, man. This lady wants to paint your portrait." “My portrait? Sure!” His teeth shone in the sun. He was tall, handsome with delicate manners. He held his mountain bike with one hand. “Where would you like me to sit?” “Here,” I said and took out my paints, “I asked that lady first, but she refused,” I said. “For some reason girls mostly say no to me.” “Guys would always say yes to you,” he smiled. “Why is it?” “Your looks. Guys will always say yes to you, even the younger guys.” “You are young! How old are you?” I am forty eight, almost fifty.” “It cannot believe it! I thought you were thirty two at most!” “No…” “You know what stroke me in that woman?” I continued. “She has problems,” he said. “I know, but look at her natural beauty. We do so many things to look good; go to hair stylists, shop for clothes, use make up, whereas she doesn’t do as much as looking in the mirror. And see how beautiful she is! And she has no idea.” “Women who don’t ware make up fascinate me,“ he said, and I all of a sudden realized that I wasn’t waring make up. “Are you coming here often?” I asked. “Yes, I have friends here, I like having fun with people. There are a lot of homeless here.” “Do you have homeless friends?” “Yes. I give them advice.” “What kind of advice?” “Where to turn for help, what to say, you know…” “Are you a social worker?” “No. I just have been around. I know a lot of this stuff.” “What are you doing for living?” “I do construction sometimes…” “Design or actual construction work?” “I did designs for kitchens. But my idea is just to take it easy, have fun. I like to be around people. I like to do good to people. Unfortunately many people stay homeless because they don’t want help.” “How’s so?” “Philadelphia has this program, Triple Pundit. It helps people to find homes and jobs.” “And people don’t want it?” “Many people use it and get out of the streets, but some prefer staying homeless.” “Does this program offer psychological help, job training, DA counseling?” “Yes, but you have to qualify.” “Do people with criminal record qualify?” “Yes, they do.” “Why some people prefer to stay homeless then?” “Mental health issues and drugs. To be on this program you have to stay clean of drugs. Not everyone can do it, and not everyone wants to, but many people do.” “But there are still a lot of homeless people in Philadelphia.” “New people come all the time. Philadelphia is famous for its homeless services. It’s a mecca for homeless.”  “Did you grow up here?” “Yes, in North Philly” “Where do you live now?” “In Northern Liberties. I used to live in Ambler. I liked it there.” “Do you have family?” “No. No family.” “Kids?” “No. I don’t want any of this.” “I have three children. I am married.” “Are you? Wow!” “Yes, twenty six years to the same man.” “!t’s unusual. People don’t stay married that long. They get tired of each other. I don’t want to get marriage problems. You can be with someone like a friend. No need to get married.” “You are right, marriage is a piece of work.” “It is nice to have a woman friend, have fun together.” “What are you looking for in a woman?” ”For happiness. I want to wake up in the morning, look at her and feel happy.” "Who doesn't?"