A few times a month I give money to Jake, the panhandler who stands in front of Ace Supermarket on Berkeley Place and Seventh Avenue. I’ve written about him before. I like his face, his personality, his joie de vivre despite his circumstances.
Over the years I’ve been quite generous to him. We’ve had nice conversations. He always looks expectantly when I walk by.
Certainly that becomes a pressure. Especially when I feel low on the dough. But I can be frank with Jake. I tell him when I don’t have any money to spare.
He’s always very understanding. But still.
One time we talked about the state of the economy.
"Maybe with a new president. Obama…" he said. "Things will be better."
I liked his optimism.
A day or two before the election we spoke. I didn’t have any money on me. He understood. But then I told him this:
"If Obama wins I’m going to give you twenty dollars."
Jake smiled his warm wide smile, He’s got quite a few teeth missing.
I saw Jake a few days after the election opening the door at Citibank. He ran outside when he saw me and gave me a big enthusiastic hug:
"I never thought I’d live to see the day," he said.
"Isn’t it wonderful?" I said.
We continued to hug and then he popped the question:
"Can you spare anything now?"
But I didn’t have anything on me. Still, he knew I was good for it. When I saw him yesterday back at his spot outside of Ace I handed him a ten dollar bill decisively.
"That’s for our man," I said.
Jake smiled. He knows I’m good for the rest.
I’m sending this on to my son who is a college sophomore. Jake has always taken a huge interest in him—always makes a point about asking after him. And the fact that he is now in Georgia where Jake apparently hails from just accentuates the bond. Over the years I think Jake has been the subject of at least one piece of fiction of his. (You notice I’m trying to keep my son anonymous to avoid “oh mom”s which is why my pronouns are getting a little convoluted.)Incredible how that man can remember us all and who we are connected to and what they are up to. Go Jake.
What a great story….I used to live on President and 7th, and would see Jake all the time. For awhile, I would buy him a few groceries on my way into Key Food and we would chat. Right before I moved (Summer 07) he went missing for awhile, but I’ve been glad to see him back in the neighborhood.