There is a tremendous storm closing in tonight. The wind is roaring and I was hurrying home ahead of the rain. As I passed the small row of shops around the corner from my house, I saw a face flicker in the doorway of the accountancy firm as a cigarette was dragged on. He caught my gaze, a man slumped in the doorway, a can of lager in his hand and a knitted woollen had pulled down below his eyebrows. I hurried on.
Once home, my conscience began to nag at me. This was no night to be sleeping rough. Equally, I didn’t feel inclined to spend breakfast explaining to P why there was a tramp at the kitchen table.
I grabbed a torch and headed to the garage in search of compromise. I was convinced that there was an old sleeping bag to be had. There wasn’t. But there was an old blanket and a plastic groundsheet. I gathered them up and headed back out.
I approached the man warily. Disconcertingly, he looked even more wary. As I committed to walk up and speak to him our mutual wariness raced neck and neck towards panic.
“Hello” I opened “Are you locked out or are you sleeping out here tonight? If you are, I have a blanket and a groundsheet that you would be welcome to.”
“That’s very kind of you” he said. “I am staying the flat upstairs but they would rather I didn’t drink or smoke there so I have popped out to have a cigarette before bed”.
Absurdly, we then shook hands and I pottered off again weak from the amount of blood that had rushed to my cheeks.
That is really, really good of you all the same. I’ve similarly been embarrassed before when I thought someone was a jumper and they were just admiring the clifftop view, but I think it’s cool that you took stuff out for him. Random acts of kindness are great.
These acts of kindness don’t go unnoticed. He certainly appreciated the gesture.
It’s funny how acutely sensitive we are to being embarrassed and that this stops us from being kind a lot of the time.
That was a very kind gesture. Better to have done it and been momentarily embarrassed, than to have done nothing and worried about him all night.
I love that you shook hands.
My God you are some kind of saint!! If only more people were more like you the world would be a happier place.
I am glad that you all see it as an act of kindness rather than me telling some poor guy that he looks like a tramp, which was how it felt at the time!
Oh Moobs! You’re so lovely. However, if anybody came up to me and thought I was a tramp, I’d clobber them with my can of lager and chase them down the street shrieking, “Of all the bloody cheek!” etc etc.
But still, total saint, you. =)
Should have kicked him when you found out. Simulated vagrancy should be a crime… 🙂
If I was him, I’d have taken the blanket and groundsheet anyway – you never know when they might come in handy…
MB: I see you are still a true Brit at heart then 🙂
Jez: – well I know what Secret Santa will be getting you this year.
you’re a good man xx
I think the handshake means that embarrassment should be deferred. (However, I’m sure I would have felt obligated to be embarrassed anyway.) 😉
Big points for kindness!
I laughed out loud at the last line. I live in an old town in Fl with a good number of homeless. A couple of years ago I was coming out of a restaurant with my husband with leftovers in hand. We walked by one of the local homeless who is mentally ill and I, very politely so as not to offend, asked if he might be interested in some leftovers. He asked what they were. I can’t remember now if it was pizza or pasta, but when I answered him, whatever it was contained an ingredient he didn’t like. Well, I replied, rather surprised to have to bargain in order to give away my food, you might be able to pick it out…. Alright, he answered rather grudgingly, I guess I can do that. Another night we ran into him again and again offered leftovers. No thanks, he replied – after asking what it was! – I’ve been gaining weight. It is a rather well-traveled town…. In any case, long story short, my cheeks bore similar color both times.
awww I love this.
I love that you did that and better to be that person rather than be me who just looks, feels bad and keeps walking….
bless you! x
Hope that you are grinning because the panel was successful, and that this means that the Moobs house is growing.
ps – couldn’t find an email for you but had to say something! Lia