Charles is mid-height and scrawny, skin coal-black. His face is irreverently gleeful, his voice pitched with mirth and sarcasm. Deep-set eyes widen even more as he laughs, his nose scrunching small. Thick, long lips are framed by stubbly black hair, jetting in different directions.
-Is it more dangerous at the shelters, in your opinion, or on the streets? Because I’ve heard a lot that on the streets, you can get beaten up, whereas in the shelters you can get stolen from.
In the shelters, you won’t get beaten up if you take care of yourself. If you’re careful, you’ll be alright.
-Are you able to sleep in the night then?
Yeah!
-Okay, that’s good then. How long have you been homeless?
Not that long. A few years?
-Was it because you lost a job or something?
Nope.
– Do you have a job right now?
Yeah, I do lawn service. Cut grass.
-Ohh, okay. Is it for a company, or just on your own?
Myself.
-That’s cool! Do you enjoy doing it?
Yeah! It’s money! Heh heh.
-It pretty cool I guess, cause you can also develop relationships with your clients so they can trust you to do it. Do you have any friends that you stay with, that support each other?
Yeah, I got my homeboys. I go to his house sometimes.
-Do you think it’s important to have friends if you’re homeless?
Yeah!
-Have they been helpful for you?
I think it’s alright.
***
-So for you, what caused you to be homeless? I’ve heard some people say it was their choice to go through this.
If they don’t want want to be homeless? They want to be homeless—they don’t have to be homeless. That’s what they choose. Like me? I want me a house, with a big ol’ yard, that my grandkids would come over and play in. I’m gettin’ myself that later on.
-Are you saving up money for that?
Yup.
-Have you heard of Section 8 housing before? They have vouchers that could help you, right?
Yeah. But I ain’t there. I ain’t signed up for no housing. I can, but you got to wait a long time to get it though.
-That’s true. So it’s hard to wait then.
Of course.
***
-Were you born and raised in Austin?
Yeah, born and raised here. East Austin.
-How was that? What was it like growing up?
I was a kid, growing up.
-Was there violence?
Yeah. See, I liked to fight for myself. I started young.
-Were there gangs connected to it?
Yeah. Every day.
Were your parents there for you?
Every day. Every day.
***
– So, cause I live in Westlake—it’s a little bit different.
Bee Cave?
-Yeah, that area.
Yeah, I used to work that car wash right there. That Chevron one? I used to work there.
-Oh cool! But now you do lawn mowing instead?
Yeah, I’m going back to do more yard work. Instead of the house.
***
-Do people around here know you?
Yeah!
-And do people around here generally know each other?
Yeah. [another man approaches] What’s up man?
Reflections on Charles →