The White Bus

Every evening as Hamilton and I cross Broad and Beaver Streets a white school bus sits at the curb waiting for its passengers. Its a Blue Bird type school bus designed for adolescents painted a garish institutional white. People enter the bus carrying their belongings, usually in twenty gallon garbage bags but sometimes in reinforced plastic shopping bags with Duane Reade imprinted on them. Those on the bus always sit quietly, staring straight ahead. No one looks out the window, as if fearing what or who they may see.

Last evening a man struggled to get on the bus as he held tightly to two black garbage bags. A woman behind him, with the luxury of a back pack, yelled at him to hurry up or get out of the way. No one wants to miss the bus.

Its occupants looked freshly scrubbed. There is a drop in shelter on Beaver near where the school bus waits. It must not have any beds. It is next door to the world famous Delmonico's Restaurant, where Diamond Jim Brady often ate. They claim to have invented Eggs Benedict, Lobster Newburg and Baked Alaska. The shelter is across the street from Beaver House where multi-million dollar condominiums are sold.

Every time I have seen the bus pull away it is full. I never see anyone take a pet on the bus. I guess having a pet is one more of life's decencies not allowed the homeless.

Looking at the people on the bus I wonder how they got there. Where are their families? No one seems to have a spouse. Walking away with Hamilton I often thank God for the blessings I have received. I have a loving wife and family, loyal friends and the gift of Hamilton and my other wonderful pets. I have the income to often eat in Delmonico's. And I live in a nice apartment building like the Beaver House.

But if I was on that white bus would I be as grateful? Would I have the resilience to get on the bus and carry on?

A block away an old man with teeth like a broken picket fence and clothes held together by grime pushes a shopping cart with some bottles and papers in it. I give him $20 and keep walking.