The blue sky is punchy and bright. A cool, stiff breeze takes the edge off a sweltering afternoon and it’s almost silent on the Gainesville Square. A few solitary people unwind on park benches while, off in the distance, customers bustle in and out of shops. Most are unaware of the homeless man sitting alone, detoxing. He hasn’t had a beer in hours and his hands tremble like a tiny earthquake. Unsteady fingers reach for his bag of butts, scrambling for a quick hit of nicotine. If there’s not enough tobacco, he empties several charred butts into toilet paper wrapping taken from a nearby public bathroom. Mark lights his cigarette and breathes deep, searching for some solace. Thick white smoke bellows out of his mouth.
“What do you like about the square?” I ask.
“It’s just relaxing. Beautiful. I like to watch people. People are interesting to watch.”
“You ever wonder what their life is like?”
“Yeah. You see ‘em coming and going in cars and stuff. Where are they going? What are they doing?” Mark laughs. “I guess they got a life.”
“Does it ever make you envious?”
“Oh yeah…. I could probably get it all back if I just… Continue Reading
