While I was on my way to the LaSalle Metra Station to catch the 407 express back to my little homogenized suburban village, I happened to notice Phil on his way to get some lunch.
Phil has a route through the alleys just one block off of Michigan Ave. that he travels each day in search of food. Today he found something to eat in a dumpster across from the Chicago Cultural Center.
I ran around the corner to the Dunkin Donuts and got him one of his favorite drinks: a large iced coffee. It was quite hot out today, and Phil was more than pleased to have a refreshing beverage to go with his lunch.
Phil began to explain how black coffee beans help wash out all the venom that the spirits inject into him while he sleeps.
After a few swigs of the iced coffee, Phil’s eyes lit up as he said “aha… that sure is good!”
I asked Phil what his plans were for the winter. He had mentioned that he might be heading down south when I spoke with him this past spring. Last winter was rather rough, and Phil ended up in the hospital with pneumonia. He said he would be staying on Lower Wacker, just like he has since 1995.
I let him know that I’d help him make it through the winter just like I did last year. Phil thanked me as he shook my hand. After a few moments of silence, we said our goodbyes, and went about our day.
And that’s life on the streets of Chicago…