Along travels through Southern Arizona, I stopped in Tucson for a restroom break. Upon entering a fast food spot I met Ron.
This homeless man was not allowed to make purchase of coffee and had been asked to leave the property. The suitcase he 
was pulling was somehow against store policy. I scoffed at this suggestion, assuring him he had as much right to a warm beverage as any and offered up help.
We put his suitcase in my car and proceeded back into the building. Although, he was sure the manager was certain to ask us both to make exit, we made entry. Indeed, the fellow that had refused Ron service minutes before looked more than mildly annoyed. Not concerned, I stepped to the counter and placed a lunch order for two. I waited for our food while Ron found a seat. This elderly man was more than thankful for a meal as he had not eaten in almost two days. As we ate, I listened intently while Ron shared the story of a fellow who had once proudly worked on a Ford assembly
line in Detroit. His eyes smiled as he spoke glowingly of the Mustang he had happily labored over.
Sadly, the plant was closed when Ford decided to send production to Mexico. He went onto suggest his biggest mistake was staying for too long in the city he loved, after losing that job. Ron was happy to share a simple conversation for living
on the street can be very dehumanizing. After our meal, I drove Ron to a park a few miles away where he could sit peacefully without harassment from law enforcement. What an unexpected joy in spending the afternoon with this kind gentle soul. I shared an hour-and-a-half of my time and spent just $5.00 dollars on a hamburger and yet the moment that was shared between two men on this warm summer day in the desert was immeasurable.
I think of Ron often!
I HAVE A NAME | Giving Voice to the Silenced. A homeless project born out of a need to inspire change,bring awareness & deliver hope where hope runs thin. For more info go to https://www.facebook.com/
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Ron is “someone” and I wouldn’t mind betting he will also remember and treasure this encounter. As you demonstrate, Jon Linton, being respectful and kind does not cost much…Joan Beckwith.
That was great that you spent time with Ron if more people would take time to things like this the world would be a little better god bless you
Thank you with deep sincerity for these words in support and kindness.
In NYC, the fast food joints in Penn Station seem have similar “temporary occupancy” limits that are used quite indiscriminately based upon the external appearance of the individual. Granted, these vendors see many more panhandlers-per-hour, but the fact remains that a commuting individual who has 20 minutes to wait for a train can purchase a “happy meal” and then hand it off to the “non-served” person outside the premises.
I know this, because the first time I did it myself, a few nights passed and a transit cop approached me, having witnessed what I thought was a secret transaction, and told me that later that night, the same individual began harassing others near the same fast-food joint, and the cop was able to gain control of the situation by quietly reminding the individual that he had, in fact, been given a meal, by me, earlier in that evening.