I’ve seen Robert regularly over the last 6 years. I try to stop and chat, sometimes buy him breakfast and always drop a dollar or two into his cup whenever I can. Here’s a guy who lives day to day, hoping to make enough to cover his shelter and food. And when he has a good day, he’ll sometimes forego the morning or afternoon street session.
This past year I learned that Robert has two kids living in Kentucky who he hadn’t seen in awhile. Around the holidays he was trying to collect enough for a round trip bus ticket. Along with others, I helped him out and he was able to spend Christmas with his kids. I’m looking forward to hearing more about the backstory; perhaps when I next take him to breakfast.
As often happens, when leaving my office today, I saw him in his usual spot. Our conversation went something like this:
“So Robert, do you know what day occurred a couple of weeks ago?” He looked at me in puzzlement, “No, what was it?” I replied, “It’s our anniversary - 6 years ago we met in this very spot and I first took your picture.” “Well then, let’s take another picture!” And so we did. Since I had a train to catch, we didn’t have a lot of time to talk. As I dropped some bills into his cup, we agreed that on Monday morning we’ll have breakfast to start the week. “And bring me a copy of that picture, will ya? Thank you and G-d bless.”
I never really know if and/or when I’ll see him again. Maybe Monday, maybe not. What started out as photographing a perfect stranger for the $2 Portrait project has turned into a 6 year “relationship” that rarely involves a camera.
Taken 4/13/17
