I want to tell you a story, a story that I’ve hardly told anyone. The primary reason for keeping it to myself is because I didn’t want to appear to be boasting over a nice deed that I did.
I saw “The Blind Side” Saturday night and thought it was fantastic. It tells a wonderful story and will likely open the eyes of many. But if the story had not been told, those eyes would not be opened.
So like the movie, I’d like to share something that I hope might have an impact on your.
His Name is Scott
In 2008 my girlfriend at the time and I were backing out of our garage and headed to dinner. Before I could get the car backed out I had to quickly stop because I nearly hit a guy (blind spot) walking directly behind the garage in an alleyway – it’s a place that received very little foot traffic.
I quickly noticed that the individual was a young homeless guy that I saw around downtown Greensboro on a pretty regular basis.
After I got out of the garage I rolled down the passenger side window and stopped the car next to him and said, “Hey man, I just want to let you know that we have a community watch, and I’m not saying you are doing anything wrong, but someone might call the police if they see you back here.”
He kindly said he didn’t mean to cause any trouble.
It was freezing cold that night, and with the window down for less than a minute the car was already starting to get cold inside.
He didn’t appear to be more than 23-years-old and I saw him on a frequent basis so I abruptly said, “So what’s your story man? I see you all of the time.” He said, “My name is Scott and I just moved down here not to long ago because my baby’s mama lives here.”
He then asked if I had a few bucks to spare, but I responded by saying, “I’m sorry, I don’t carry cash.” I didn’t have a dime on me at the time. We exchanged a few more words and then we continued on our way to go eat dinner.
My mind was very much preoccupied at dinner. All I could think about was the fact that while we were eating in a warm restaurant this guy walked around in freezing cold temperatures. It bothered me a lot.
I think part of the reason it got to me was because he was so young and, for a moment, made me imagine life through his lens. It was a terrifying and confusing thought to say the least.
After dinner we drove home via Elm St, the main road through downtown Greensboro. It was rather late, and cold, so the road had very little traffic at this point in the evening. As we made our way closer to home I glanced off to the right and saw Scott sitting in the doorway of a closed business.
I looked over and said, “I can’t do this. I can’t drive passed him and just go home.” I made a quick right turn onto Washington St, and by this time he could tell that I was stopping. I glanced in the rearview mirror and saw him running my way.
I looked over at my ex and said, “Please stay in the car; I’ll be back in a few minutes.” I wasn’t trying to be overly manly, but I had given my action virtually no thought whatsoever and wanted to make sure she stayed safe.
As I got out of the car Scott was walking up and said, “Thank you for stopping.” I then said, “Look man, I want you to walk over to this ATM with me.” With a shocked look on his face he said, “Ok.”
While walking around the block I said, “Scott, I need you to know that I don’t have a job right now and that I have very little money to spare, but I’m going to give you some cash. If I find out that you’ve taken this money and blown it on dope or alcohol you will forever decrease the chances that I’ll help someone like this again.” He said he understood and that he wouldn’t let me down.
I withdrew $80 out of the ATM, it’s all I cold afford to give him at the time, and handed it over. He really didn’t know what to say, but as we walked back towards the car he thanked me continuously.
Upon arriving back to where I parked he asked if I could give him a ride to a hotel and I said, “Scott, I know you’ll understand that I’m going to have to decline doing so because I’m not going to put my girlfriends safety at risk.” He said he understood and we went our separate ways.
Since that day I’ve not seen Scott a single time. And to be clear, I used to see him a lot. I can only hope that what transpired that night changed his life and helped guide him in a new direction.
Maybe that thought is naïve, but had I not helped him out it might not be a thought at all.
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