She seemed homeless, but clearly had a place to live, or at least a place where her children had shelter. She approached me outside a sports bar in Chinatown while I was smoking a cigarette. It was snowing outside.
My friends, both of whom are young, connected media and public relations figures in Washington, did not appear overly pleased when she and I joined them back at the table where I was sitting. I suppose bringing strangers in from outside is poor ediquette. However, as the evening approached 1:00am, one warmed up – even giving her number to Ruben. I finished my gin and tonic and handed my business card to everyone. It says “Jameson Freeman, individual”.
My friends went their own ways, and Ruben said she was hungry. We walked through the snowy, ice-cold Chinatown streets and talked. She told me about her struggles, her two children, her beliefs… and we exchanged philosophies on various things. We talked about smoking and how neither of us should be doing it – her especially since she was pregnant. When we walked into a latenight Chinese food joint, we got a window table and ordered some greasy things. It was good, especially with how biting the weather was outside.
It was determined we lived more or less in the same direction from where we were, so we caught a taxi together and made a stop at a Seven Eleven near my apartment. I got her chocolate and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream (they use hormone-free milk) for her kids. I also got her a pack of American Spirits cigarettes… which, doesn’t really make a whole lot of sense (blame it on the alcohol) but I fingured if Ruben was going to smoke (on occasion she says) then at least they should be healthy cigarettes… just kidding about the “healthy” – but, seriously, when you smoke one, you’re only smoking tobacco, as there are no additives or chemicals. Still not great for the lungs, I’m sure – but at least you’re not inhaling rat poison.
In any event, I got dropped off first, paid the driver to take her home, and she called me moments later to make sure I got in safely and had locked the door. It’s funny how people can bond… funnier still how people meet. We’ve spoken every day since. I think I made friend.
