So, just before Christmas, a homeless guy took up residence outside the shop opposite my flat. Although we have many rough sleepers in the town, he’s the first one I’ve seen around here, ( residential , just the one shop opposite, which he is mostly living outside of ).
Anyway, he’s mid thirties, polite, doesn’t beg, but quite a few people give him food when they come out of the shop. Never seen him boozing ( couldn’t blame him if he did ) , or doing anything anti social. Just before Christmas, I had some friends here, and one of them went over to him to chat. Upshot was, we supplied him with hot drinks and the cost of a B & B for the night.
As it got colder, and nearer to Christmas , some friends and I had a whip round and gave him enough money to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the B & B. He says his greatest pleasure is to have a bath, and obviously sleep in a bed. Otherwise, he sleeps on the pavement every night.
We exchange pleasantries, and I fill his flask with coffee daily. Here’s the problem ( at last ). I have now started to feel slightly awkward with the situation.
Whenever I leave my flat, I feel obliged go and chat to him, this normally ends up with him hinting that he “ just needs ten more pounds to get the B & B tonight “, or, would I mind filling his flask ? ( sounds a bit rude I know ). The past couple of nights, he’s rung the bell at around 10 p.m. , I know it’s the flask again ! I didn’t answer, obviously in my pj’s.
Thing is, I feel terrible with the whole thing. I’m in my warm flat, going to my lovely bed, and he’s sleeping on the cold, hard ground. Today, he’s been sitting there all day, and the long night is ahead.
I’m not scared of him in any way, besides, my flat is completely secure, I just feel so conflicted. I’ve contacted the relevant homeless organisations, and they are aware of him, but I’ve started to feel like a prisoner. His ‘ pitch ‘ is opposite my front door, and he can see my lights are on, so always knows when I’m home. I don’t think there’s any harm in him, but what a shitty way to live. I feel like an entitled princess in my lovely flat, the contrast between us is horrible.
For background info, I live alone, my partner isn’t local. My son died less than a year ago, and I think that’s why I have become over involved. That man could be any of our children, it would be nice to think someone would be kind to them.
Sorry for the ramble. Just need some opinions. Thanks everyone. X