So, there's a guy on my front lawn...
When I got home tonight, I noticed something unusual on the lawn outside of my apartment: a man. Maybe in his late 50's or early 60's. It was a little hard to tell because it's dark outside of my apartment when I don't have the living room lights on. He didn't seem to move when I passed by him to open my front door, so I went back to take a look at him.
"Hey man, are you ok?"
"Yes, I'm ok. I'm just resting. Do you know where the closest hospital is?"
"Palo Alto Medical Foundation is over on El Camino, but that's not really walking distance. Can I call you a cab or something?"
"I don't have any money. I'm pretty much homeless. I just need to get to a hospital."
At this point, I knew I would have to call the cops. Not because the guy needed to be busted or anything, but because he might need medical attention. I'm not a huge fan of the Menlo Park police department (see my earlier post on getting a click it or ticket) and I kind of feel like making the phone call is like calling in an air strike on myself or something. Anyway, I made the call, picked up a blanket, and headed back outside to wait with the guy while the police showed up.
"I brought you a blanket. It's cold out here. The cops will here in a few minutes to help out."
"Thanks. Do you mind staying with me?"
"Not at all."
The man was holding a couple of pieces of paper in his hand which he handed to me to look at. Two sheets of paper had various family pictures. They looked pretty old from the look of the clothing and hairstyles. Perhaps the 1950's.
"That's my Mom and family. Two sisters and a brother."
"Your Mom was a very pretty lady."
"Yes she was. Her and my Dad split up. Got a divorce, but not before he had her committed and she got shock therapy. She was never the same since."
"That really sucks. I'm sorry to hear that. Is your family from around here?"
"No, we lived in Modesto. I'm just here getting help. I went out tonight to get some dinner and here's where I ended up."
At this point, the cops showed up. There's not much more to the story. I do kind of wonder why none of my other neighbors came out to see what was going on especially when the ambulance showed up with its lights on. I also wonder how long the poor guy had been wandering around until he showed up on my lawn.
"Hey man, are you ok?"
"Yes, I'm ok. I'm just resting. Do you know where the closest hospital is?"
"Palo Alto Medical Foundation is over on El Camino, but that's not really walking distance. Can I call you a cab or something?"
"I don't have any money. I'm pretty much homeless. I just need to get to a hospital."
At this point, I knew I would have to call the cops. Not because the guy needed to be busted or anything, but because he might need medical attention. I'm not a huge fan of the Menlo Park police department (see my earlier post on getting a click it or ticket) and I kind of feel like making the phone call is like calling in an air strike on myself or something. Anyway, I made the call, picked up a blanket, and headed back outside to wait with the guy while the police showed up.
"I brought you a blanket. It's cold out here. The cops will here in a few minutes to help out."
"Thanks. Do you mind staying with me?"
"Not at all."
The man was holding a couple of pieces of paper in his hand which he handed to me to look at. Two sheets of paper had various family pictures. They looked pretty old from the look of the clothing and hairstyles. Perhaps the 1950's.
"That's my Mom and family. Two sisters and a brother."
"Your Mom was a very pretty lady."
"Yes she was. Her and my Dad split up. Got a divorce, but not before he had her committed and she got shock therapy. She was never the same since."
"That really sucks. I'm sorry to hear that. Is your family from around here?"
"No, we lived in Modesto. I'm just here getting help. I went out tonight to get some dinner and here's where I ended up."
At this point, the cops showed up. There's not much more to the story. I do kind of wonder why none of my other neighbors came out to see what was going on especially when the ambulance showed up with its lights on. I also wonder how long the poor guy had been wandering around until he showed up on my lawn.
posted by weezie at
9:36 PM
3 Comments:
I'm not surprised no one came out. Most people are rather selfish and prefer not to put out for others unless there is something in it for them. Maybe I'm just a cynic.
It's cool that you did that. I'm sure the guy will remember you for your actions. I believe good actions pay themselves back later on.
I can't imagine that's something that happens very often. I'm ashamed to say I probably would not have done the same.
I can believe it. No one called the cops several times, in my experience, when it was necessary.
I'm glad you did AND waited to make sure something messed up didn't happen to your lawn guy. That was a good use of a blanket.
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