5 days

Less than a week, more than everyday. I thought about posting. I really, really did, but I have been a bit busy with " stuff".

Today I was in the store, waiting to use the store's bathroom( ewww). Anyway, a couple of indigent people, actually an indigent couple( white man, black woman) was waiting to go in before me. The man went in first. While the woman was waiting, she was using the mirror of the sunglasses display to put on make-up.

She put on a very bright, almost day-glo pink lipstick. First on her lips, then on her cheeks. Then she brought out a compact of 8 colors, and did her eyes. I'm not sure if she put on any liner or mascara, as I didn't want her to think that I was staring at her, and possibly judging.

I have always wondered about this. Thankfully I have never been homeless nor without any money, but I have always felt that if I was without the basics, I would not think about how I looked. Or being part of a couple, less known being in an intimate relationship with my partner. I would think that I would focus all my attention on getting a job, getting sober( if applicable), finding housing, etc.... I mean, I can barely get in the mood if I think the house is jacked up. Now, think about not having a place to sleep at all. Sexy? Not to me.

But watching this woman made me rethink some things. She was making herself up because it made her feel better. Not so much to make other people accept her, cause let's face it, she had a knee-length down coat on in 65 degree weather. People would think that she had "issues" no matter what her face looked like. Perhaps it's the same regarding having a relationship when you are in that situation. It gives you a sense of normalcy and it has to be comforting to have someone to depend on, even though you are in the same place. I guess when people say " I can do bad all by myself" they haven't been in this couple's position. Maybe that's all the family they have.

Still, I can't see being intimate on a piss stained mattress under a viaduct. But I can empathize.