My Story of Being Homeless

I was about 23 years old. I lived in West Palm Beach. I had a great job. I bought a next to new car. I owned a condo in a gated community. Then I met a man I fell in love with. He moved in with me. For 3 years everything was great.

Then I started missing things. At first I thought I misplaced these things. I must have been in denial. Little did I know? He had a dark secret. That he managed to keep from me for 3 years. He was an IV drug user.

Then my VCR went missing. I knew then I didn't just misplace that. So I confronted him! Naturally he denied it. I threw him out. I cried that whole night hoping he would call. He did! So I put him in. I don't know how many rehabs. He stole my car. He stole my ATM card. I had over $3000 dollars worth of checks bounce.

Either pay that or go to jail. Then I couldn't make my mortgage payments for 4 or 5 months. I fell behind on my car payments. Then fell way behind on my maintenance fees.

My car was the first to get rep ode. Then my condo! I was in suicide mode at this point.

The day came I had to be completely out! So I packed a duffel bag.

I put about a weeks worth of clothes in there. 2 knives can opener, ten foil, garbage bags and hygiene stuff.

It was hot and miserable. I had a few hundred dollars with me. I know what you're thinking! Why didn't you get a room? Well I figured since all my friends abandon me. Getting a room would just leave me broke and homeless any ways.

I was so consumed with thoughts! I couldn't think and stay focused. So I walked! Then I thought of a place where we kids use to skip school at. We partied in these woods. So I made my way to my first home.

I haven't been there since I was in high school. So I really didn't know what I would find. It didn't change much and I felt safe. So I found a place to camp out for the night. I hid my supplies. Then I headed to the store. I picked up some beer figuring it would help me to relax. Then I bought some chips and cigarettes.

Walked back and was surprised. Some teenagers where back there. I was panicky! I didn't know what to do because my stuff was back there. So I walked up to where they were. They were surprised but very nice.

They had a fire going a few coolers and just partying. They seen I had beer so they offered me use of there cooler. We sat at the fire talked drank and listen to the radio.

They asked why I was back there. I told them me and my old man had a fight. I come here all the time.

So when they got ready to leave. They wanted to know what I was going to do. I said I was going to stay for a little while longer. So they left there cooler there with snacks, drinks, and beer.

I made a place to sleep by the fire. But didn't sleep! My mind was too consumed with racing thoughts.

Morning came still didn't have a plan. So I hid most of my money and took off. I walked a couple hours. Then I saw elderly women mowing her grass. So I asked her if I could help her. She was like Thanks! I finish the yard. She made a sandwich and brought me a coke. She asked me what I did for a living. I told her I was a hairdresser. Her face lit up! Then she asked me if I could give here a perm I said sure. She says come back tomorrow.

So I went back to my humble home. I was glad to be able to help her but I was hoping she would offer me some money.

The next day I show up. We went to the beauty supply bought what we needed. We sat and drank coffee and I did her perm. She just loved it. I told her I had to go home. She said wait! Then went in her purse and pulled out a $50.00 Bill. Handed to me and said what an angel you are.

I went home feeling pretty good about myself. I still had plenty of food and drinks so I figured I would stay there a few more days. Until I run out of food and drinks. So I started thinking I have to limit how much I spend. So I set my limit to $10.00 a day. So now I have $220.00 saved. My goal is to find work everyday.

So I brought out my blanket and lay by the fire. Morning came and I set out to make a few bucks. So I cleaned up packed my stuff hid my money separate from my stuff encase someone discovered my things.

That morning was hot and muggy. I mean sweat just pored off of me. It was so humid you could hardly breathe. So I carried a wash rag with me with some anti-bacteria soap. That way I could keep clean and cool.

I decide to change directs that day to keep people from noticing me. I had this fear. That someone I knew might see me. I didn't want to face anyone. I was embarrassed as it was. So I avoided my old stomping grounds.

I had to be careful that no one was watching me come out of the woods. There was a dirt road. So I didn't worry too much about someone seeing me go in and out of the woods

so I took a drink of my soda and headed out. I had no ideas or any real plan. I just played it by ear.

It's amazing what you think about when you're walking. Sometimes I would fantasize of meeting someone who would rescue me from this Hell. Other times I wonder if I would ever get out of this mess I was in.

It was getting close to evening. No jobs today! So I headed back to my humble home. Then I saw this man on his roof. I thought this is my last chance to make a few bucks. So I better make this good. I climber up the later waited for him to notice me. He was getting ready to take a brake. When he saw me! I said. Hi and I asked him if he could use a hand. He said no! I need a brake! So I went down the later. Then he did.

He said come on in. He had like a closed patio. He opens the refrigerator. He asked me if I wanted a beer or soda. I said a beer would be fine.

We chit chatted! Then he said. I don't want you up on a roof. He says you got guts I'll give you that.

He says come back in the morning. I probably have close to a weeks worth of work. I'll pay you daily. He knows I'm homeless. That is what I was thinking.

So he handed me another beer sat down. He says I know where you're at. When he said that I almost had heart failure?

Then he said he was homeless. That was a relief. I thought he meant he new where was staying.

He told me what happened. Then I told him what happened. He said bring your dirty clothes and you can wash them while your working.

He said you have nothing to fear here. So relax! Then he asked me if I was hungry. I said not really! He says have another beer and go get some rest. So that's what I did.

It must have been 7:00 or 7:30 I really didn't know what time it was. When I knocked on the door? He had a pair of boxers on. He said come in your early. Let me get something on. Would you like some coffee?

As he opened up a beer! No I will have a beer. I figured if he is going to drink a beer this early. I would too! He says we are going shopping today. So I'm going to show you what I want done. You make a list of what you're going to need.

He let me pick out what I wanted. He said he would be back. So we left headed to the house. I worked all day. We sat and talked. Then he said he got a little something for me. It was a real pretty watch. I hugged and kissed him. Then he said go get some clean clothes out of the dryer and get a shower.

He paid me $40.00. Then he said come over at 9:30. He gave me his number. He told me to call him if I needed him for any reason.

I made $160.00 all together that week. But the following weeks my luck wasn't so good. The only good thing that happened was I found a stroller and an egg crate cushion and a big role of plastic. Like what painters use.

So I took my hatch out. I looked for a striate branch and my height. Took the plastic and threw it over the branch. Made a floor! Folded the corners! I drove wooden stakes in the thick part of the fold to make it stronger.

Then I got the egg crate laid it in place. Laid there trying to figure out how to ventilate it. With being able to keep the mosquitoes out! So I cut branches. Place the branches so the bottom of the leaves face upward.

I put my cooler and my stroller in there and I was set. A few ours later the wind started picking up and it was like the sky fell down. It was rainy and windy all night and half the next day.

That night I listen to the rain and drank some beers and stuffed my face. No leaks! I couldn't believe it. That night I slept like a baby. I didn't have to worry about anyone sneaking up on me.

I rested that night and the next day. Just enjoying the weather! It rained every evening from this point on for weeks.

Mosquitoes unbelievable! I had to keep a fire even during the day. Spray didn't work because it was so humid the sweat pored off of you. It was a lot harder to stay clean during this time.

It was a lot harder to find work. I made a few dollars a day. But I didn't make over $10.00 a day. So for weeks I couldn't save any money.

With all the rain and being a lone for weeks. I decide to call Joe. He was so happy I called it scared me.

So he asked me if everything was alright. Yes I said! I'm just bored and lonely. So he came to get me.

He said that I look like shit. I didn't know what he meant. At first! Then he said you look real pail. Are you feeling alright? I told him I was feeling more tired then usual. That I thought it was the rain and the heat.

He said I was hoping you would call. He says come in my room I want to show you something. He had a phone next to the bed.

He says you don't get it. Do yaw! I didn't know if I would see you again or hear from you again. I was afraid I would miss your call.

He said I'm going to take off for a few hours. He said make yourself at home. So I showered and opened a beer and watched TV. When he came back he unloaded his groceries. He said I thought you can take this. He handed me Geritol. He says I thought you might be low on iron.

Then he asked me to stay for the weekend. I figured I didn't have anything to lose. He said. His dad and his girlfriend were coming for the weekend. They where coming because it was Joe's birthday. The following weekend was really Joe's birthday but they couldn't make it. So they came the weekend before.

I told Joe not to say anything about me being homeless. He agreed!
We had a nice time. Then it was time to go to bed. Joe says to me. I think they think we are an item. So we slept together.

He says you don't have to worry. That he would be on his best behavior. We talked for hours that night. Just like kids!

I went home Monday morning. That night I started feeling bad. I felt like I was going to get sick to my stomach. Then I kept hearing something in the woods. I started getting paranoid. Fear took over. Whatever or who ever was close to where I hid my money.

I started thinking someone might have seen me hide my money. Whatever it was it was bigger then a dog. I was scared. I couldn't see anything that night.
The next morning I went to see if my money was still hid. It was Thank God! I looked to see if there where any foot prints. There wasn't! So to this day I don't know what was out there.

It started getting hotter and I was feeling sick to my stomach. Everything I ate that morning didn't stay down. I felt weak and shaky. I had no energy and couldn't sleep. It was to hot.

This went on for about 3 days! I was so weak I didn't think I would make it to the store. I finally made it to the store. Then I called Joe. He came and picked me up.

He bought me some medicine. I was sick for a few more days so Joe said stay the weekend. By Saturday I was feeling pretty good. So he asked me to go out to dinner with him because that Saturday was really his birthday.

Come Monday I went home. The mosquitoes were unbelievable! I had to keep a fire even during the day. Spray didn't work because it was so humid the sweat pored off of you. It was a lot harder to stay clean during this time. Thank God there was a small creek back where I was living.

It was a lot harder to find work. I made a few dollars a day. But I didn't make over $10.00 a day. So for weeks I couldn't save any money.

Work slowed way down. I was making less then $10.00 a day. So I wasn't able to save any money. This went on for like 2 months. The rain kept coming. I couldn't work in the evenings because of the rain. With in 2 months I wasn't getting any work and I was broke.

I tried everything! I went to bars hoping I would get some work. I felt so rejected and alone at this time. I felt so humiliated! It seemed like everybody I talk to avoided me or gave me the cold shoulder.

So I got some help from a church. They gave me a bag of hygiene products and a bag full of food. And gave me a voucher for $50.00 I was so great full.

During this time me and Joe was pretty good friends. I trusted him he trusted me. We spent time together as friends.

I use to tell him about the weirdo's. The perverts! Men would offer me money for sex. Some men would try to manipulate me promise me things for sex.

Then I had a guy hold a knife up to my throat. He would have killed me but I told him I wanted to Rob a bank. Then he backed off. Then he listened to my plan. Then he wanted to know if I wanted to be his girl. We drove around and I gained his trust. He decided to make a phone call. So he stopped! Like an idiot he left the keys in the car.

I started the car and hold ass. I was so shook up. I didn't know rather to dump the car or go to the police.

Then I heard a phone ring. I answered it! It was the owner of the car. He was pissed! He thought I stole the car. I told him what happened. He said come over to the bar he was at. I have to admit. I was worried the cops would be watching for me.

I go in the bar. Sat down Some guy peeked out the door. Then he walked back in. He came up to me and asked me if I drove his car over here. I said yes!

We had a few drinks. He can see I was shaky. He said you had a ruff night. Then he asked me why I was hitching hiking?

So this guy says why you don't go with me to my boat. The thought of being alone on a boat with this guy was scary.

This wasn't no boat it was a y aught. A nice one! I told him I hope you don't think we are going to have sex. He assured me that wasn't the case. That when I got read to go to sleep to just lock the door.

He turned out to be a nice guy. He was a long haired hippie with round glasses. He sure did a lot of cocaine the few days I was there. I told him how it made me homeless and what it did to my ex boyfriend.

We had fun. He did his partying and I did my drinking. He would pay me to go get him the cocaine. I wound up making about $200.00 that was good!

I called Joe told him I thought I better move out of the area. Because of the guy that held the knife on me. Then I got to thinking I could stay on the beach.

I asked Joe if he would take me to the beach. This was the first time Joe seen my place. In the woods!

First I took him to the fire pit. Which was quite a distance from where I lived? I told him this is where I cook and hang out until l am ready to go to sleep.

Then I showed him where I slept. I offered him a beer. He commented! Dam girl this place is so neat and clean. I said come on in.

We sat there a few hours. He said why don't you wait until tomorrow? I told him I wasn't planning on taking the place down. Just take my stuff! So I packed up. This only took me a few minutes.

He was shocked that I was so organized. He couldn't get over it. He told me how he uses to lose stuff. It would take him forever to find anything. When he looked through his stuff?

He took me to Lake Worth Beach. We bought stuff for the cooler. He asked so what's the plan? I pointed down the beach and started walking. He carried the cooler.

They had these red things you can lay under. To block the sun! They where pretty big! They were made out of canvas. So we dragged 2 of them. Down the beach a ways from everybody else!

I spread the blanket out. Then we partied. He stayed with me that night. It was perfect!

I asked him if he would check my mail before he came back. Then I handed him the key. I haven't checked the mail in I don't know how long?

A few days later I see him walking with beer, ice, and 2 plastic sacks full of mail. So I put the mail with the rest of my stuff. I filled the cooler. Then handed him a beer!

He says to me I bet you could get a lot of cans out of the garbage cans. I told him I thought of that but didn't know what to do with the can's after I got them. Then I started thinking of the little wooded area behind my place.

That night I started picking up cans. I picked up 2 big garbage bags full. I was wore out from walking threw that sand. I wasn't use to walking in soft sand. I went for a swim and got under the shower sat on the bench. Dried off! Went to my new home drank a few beers. Then I fell asleep.

The next day I hit the little strip mall for work. Nothing that day! I did find a dollar and some very expensive sun glasses. They sold for about $80.00.

I decided working during the day wasn't going to work. There was no convent stores close by. There was a little bar and it was cheap. So I became a regular there.

It took time but I got to know some of the other regulars. I put out the word I was looking for work. So I did pick up work every now and then.

I continued to pick up cans at night. I also looked in cigarette packs and saved miles. Sometimes I would find money in them. I walked the beach at night and found watches, broken jewelry, towels, a wallet with $33.00.

I also figured out the restaurant on the pier. Threw food out after they closed every night!

All the jewelry I found I sold to a guy. That had a jewelry store right on the beach. If I seen someone is struggling to carry there things on to the beach. I would help them. At this time I seen dollar signs and opportunity everywhere I looked.

Now its August my birthday is coming up. So I called Joe he came to see me we partied he noticed. I didn't read my mail. He said I better. There might be something important. Sure enough there was a check from my house taxes. $484.00 I over paid on my taxes. Talking about a great birthday present!

I gave the check to Joe and $300.00 I stashed. I almost have enough money to buy a car. A few weeks later I bought a car. I was happy at first! The car was great!

Finding a place to park and sleep in the car was a major problem. I was harassed by the cops. Couldn't get any sleep people walking by laughing, talking parking next to me. Wal-Mart was the worst. No matter were I parked I didn't feel comfortable.

Beside that I spent more money on gas. Just trying to park the darn thing! It was getting cooler and it was time to move again.

So I moved back to my first home. The weather was nice so I did some work on my little home. Joe helped me! He was so busy at work he couldn't spend as much time with me.

So I focused on improving my home. I new it was fixing to get cold soon. So the next day I started cutting limbs and dragging them to the fire pit. I cut enough for one side.

I cut all the limbs off the main branches. I tied them together at the top and bottom. Leaned them on the branch the plastic was draped over. I drove one stake at each end. To make it real secure! I did the same thing the next day.

I cut more branches this time I left the leaves on the branches. I only put one layer of branches on because it wasn't cold enough yet. The colder it got the more branches I stacked on.

I had a lantern it stayed warm just with that lantern. I covered the glass with tin foil at bed time. So I could sleep!

I went threw the whole winter in my place in the woods.

Summer Came Then My Life Changed

I walked for hours. I was tired and hot. I needed to cool down so I stopped in a neighborhood bar. Went in the ladies room cleaned up. Nobody was there. I talked to the bar tender. Then I decided to leave.

She said leaving so soon! I told her I was broke. She said stay a little while longer. She wanted someone to talk to. Her boyfriend left her. We talked for a while. Then I told her I was homeless.

I told her what happen. I told her I had to move out of the area I was in because of the guy with the knife.

A few hours passed. She said I know of a place you can go. She said it was a campground about an hour out of town. She asked me if I wanted to go. She would take me after work.

So we drove to the campground. It was far from everything. It was nice! She showed me around. Then she told me not to tell anyone I was homeless. She said it is slow this time of the year. So she I shouldn't have any problems. She left and I went to the bar. No one was around. So I notice the coolers were running. I opened one of the coolers. It was full of beer. So I grabbed one and sat down. I saw the jute box. Put a few dollars in it.

Sat there for hours nobody came around. So I decided to find a place to sleep. I looked in the bathroom. There was a shower. So I decided to settle right there for the night. I showered then went back to the bar.

Sat there and got drunk. Before I realized it was day light. So I did some exploring.
This place was huge! So I took a walk. There were 8 cabins a pool and I don't know how many camper sites.

There was a place for cook outs. I looked in the cabinets there was lots of can goods. Dishes, cooking utensils you name it.

I went back to the bar. Had a beer then decided to clean up the place? So I looked for cleaning supplies.

Started cleaning decided to take a brake. I seen a drawer it had a big key ring full of keys. So I thought to myself I wonder if any of these keys opens the cabins. Sure enough they did.

That night I slept in AC. That was the best night sleep I had in a while. That morning I went back to the bar and finished cleaning up. Then I looked up! A couple drove up.

I thought oh crap what if they own this place. The gentleman says can we have 2 Budweiser's. So I served them. He said how much. I said on the house. Then he asked about the cabins.

I told him I didn't no. We haven't opened yet. Then I remember the keys. So I said let me call my boss. I pretended to call my boss. I told them $20.00 a night if they stay the weekend. So they called some friends. They showed up a few hours later.

That night I made $100.00 in tips. Plus rented a few cabins. I only charged them a $1.50 a beer. Now I have money for the drawer.

I was excited and scared. I just new I was going to jail. But that didn't stop me. They stayed the weekend. Then left!

I was a lone again for about 3 days. Then the pool man showed up. He thought I was the owner's daughter.

So I offered him a beer. He said how much? I told him it was on the house. I pride him of info. About the owner turns out. He's never seen the owner.

He came back after cleaning the pool. He sat with me for a few hours. We drank and had a lot of laughs. He asked about the log cabins. He said he had some out of town friends that where coming that weekend. He didn't know how he was going to entertain them. I told him to bring them there.

That weekend about 25 people showed up. And I was getting low on beer. So I looked around to see if I could find an invoice lying around. I thought it would be nice to serve wine or wine coolers. So I asked the clerk at the store. I asked who there supplier was. She gave me the number. Now I was able to order wine.

I did some shopping! I bought enough meat to stock up the deep freezer. There were plenty of can goods so I bought breakfast foods.

That way people didn't have to go out for breakfast. At this point I was in deep. I just new I was going to jail! So I said to myself. If you're going to jail might as well do it up right.

From that point on I ran the place like it was mine. I ran the place like it was mine! Every weekend was picking up! More and more people showed up. The mosquitoes were getting worse and worse. So I asked around if anyone did screen work. Then someone said he has a friend that does screens.

He sent him Monday to see me. We talked! He needed work and I needed help. I asked him how much to screen in the bar. He said pay for the material. Then give him a job until his work picked up.

I agreed and he had the bar screened in before the weekend. Joe came that weekend and he was worried about me going to jail. So I gave him money every time he came to see me. Just encase!

That week I was sitting there with the pool man and a huge dog walked up. He was limping. I was scared of him at first. He wagged his tail as he approached us. So I picked his foot up. I looked at it as it bled. I cleaned his foot and put a sock on his foot.

I fed him some left covers. Then he went in laid down. He never left! He was my dog. He had a home now and he was very loyal.

The man that did my screens came bye again I asked him what he thought about me putting some signs up. I told him if everybody that comes here pitches in to help keep the place clean. I can keep the cost down otherwise I will have to charge more if I have to hire people to keep the place up.

His greed! So in the cook out area I placed a sign there. As of now the food is free and opened to the public. If a mess is left the cook out area will no longer be free and open to the public.

In the bar I posted a sign. The sign said! Absolutely No Fights then it said any fights in the bar at all. The bartender will close the whole bar for the rest of the night.

I told the regulars and they past it on. There where never any fights. I have been there for about 6 weeks now. I was alone after the weekend and I was relaxing having a beer some bikers showed up 4 couples. Very nice bikes! Very nice people! They where so much fun! They stayed for a few days.

Then they came back with more friends. I made a lot of money that weekend. They asked me if they can form a club there. I said this place is open to the public. They said if I keep the prices down they would keep the place up. They wanted a safe and fun place to hang out. I said my rules still stands or the deal is off.

The head of the bikers agreed! They helped me with everything. That place was in tip top shape. I was on top of the world.

Another month has past! One night during the week this older man showed up. I seen him the last 2 weekends I asked him how he was doing. He ordered a beer. Maybe 2 then he told me he was the owner. My heart pounded out of my chest. He seemed angry and sarcastic at first.

Then he changed his tune. He said I could have put you in jail. But I seen all the improvements you made and how you handled people and ran the place. I watched the money and the kind of people you where drawling in.

He said for 4 years he said he advertised and hired people and still the place was empty. He said he put the place up for sale and couldn't sell it.

He asked me why I did what I did. I told him I was homeless and I was dropped off. Then I was stranded there. It just fell in my lap! Then I just took advantage of the whole situation.

We sat there and drank. We talked for hours. He told me about his wife dieing. He told me he wanted to sell all his properties. He said he had heart problems. So he didn't want any more worries.

I said are you going to stay here tonight he said if you don't mind. We both started laughing.

The next day I made some omelets and toast. The pool man showed up and Dave was walking to the cook out area. Dave is the owner. I do remember his name. I asked if he was hungry he said yes I'm starving and the pool man sat down with us. I told the pool man this is the boss you never met. This is Dave. Then Dave said I'm not the boss you are.

He said we have to talk. So we ate! After we ate I said lets go to the bar encase customers come or want to pay for the rooms. But really I wanted a beer. I was afraid of what he might say. He said I don't normally drink this time of the morning but I am hung over and really in a good mood.

He told me he wanted me to keep running things there the way I have been. He said he had business to take care of. That he would be back in a few weeks. So he left! I called Joe told him what happened. He was shocked so he came by after work had a few beers. Then he told me the reason why he didn't come see me that often. He thought everyone on that property would go to jail if the owner showed up. He was relieved he didn't have to worry about that any more.

Dave came back with a double wide trailer a few weeks later. Dave got out of his truck and said where you want it. I said lets have a beer. Let me think about it. He said take your time.

He said he's not going to sell the campground he was moving in. He said he didn't want to be alone. I told him I didn't want a man. He said don't look at me I wasn't implying anything other then friendship and a partnership.

I moved in with Dave. We lived together for 3 years. He had a heart attack and died. His daughter got everything.

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