Once More into the Breach with Mark (Part 6)
Two days later I saw Mark walking toward the grocery store carrying his possessions. It was one in the afternoon, cold and raining. He saw me and waved.
I had tried finding him the previous afternoon for an update on his first night in the Safe Rest Village but wasn't successful.
Mark was here now. He crossed the street and we stood under the store's awning. I slapped him on the back and said, “Well done!” He smiled and then I grilled him about his experience in housing, or “pod” as he called it. “I'm a pod person now,” he said.
We laughed at that. We always laugh together.
It was definitely something different, according to Mark, having a roof over his head, a heated and private space, with communal restrooms and showers. And it was secure; he finally didn't have to worry about his stuff being stolen.
There were some “tweakers” about and the management of the village hadn't provided any real orientation, but he would figure it out as he went along. He was sleeping reasonably well that first night until the sounds of raucous sex from a nearby pod awakened him.
We laughed at that!
Mark spent most of the next day in the pod reading, barely venturing out because of the terrible weather. He probably had a lot to sort out, too, in the solitude of his new home. He'd been living on the streets since 2016.
I told him once he figured out what he needed for the space, make a list and his friends would procure the items. I said he certainly needed a bookshelf and he agreed.
It was a 45-minute bus and train ride back to the grocery store, and I said, “So what? Just read.”
I told him of my pride in him for boarding the taxi and trying to make a monumental change. Many people cared about him and were elated to hear the news. He nodded his head.
At some point, I told Mark I wanted to come visit, see the village, and celebrate. He said there were some outdoor areas with tables and chairs. Perfect! I'd bring a pizza. No Old Crow, however. Gotta follow the rules.
It was time for me to go. I loaded him up with five copies of The Old Crow Book Club to distribute at the village and said goodbye. I told him I'd come around in the next couple of days for an update and that list of supplies.
I was almost gone when I turned around and came back to Mark.
“Mark,” I said, “today is my 60th birthday.”
“Happy birthday!” he said.
“Thanks for the gift.”
We both knew what I was talking about.
I gave him another pat on the back and walked away.