“I slept inside last night. The guy had four cats. His place was a mess. At least it was warm.”
He did smell like he slept with the cats. And he had cat fur on his coat. His eyes looked clear, errr clearer than some days. Not cold on the street; just damp and windy. Felt like low 40’s.
That’s not to say his seat would be my choice if given the chance, but days like this don’t bring much largesse from passer-bys. Only a few coins in his dish.
“I slept from 9pm to 10am. Thirteen hours. Haven’t slept that much in weeks, maybe months. I awoke and still felt like shit.” “That’s because you have poisoned your body and it needed alcohol or whatever else you have inside you. Your head must feel better.” “Yeh, a little. I spoke with Tim Coleman yesterday. He said I could go to Act One if I had a plan. I need a plan before I get in. Why won’t they just let me in and then I’ll come up with a plan.”
He seemed on point, as much as he could be. He didn’t go to AA, because the papers got wet. “You could go to jail if you don’t go.” “I won’t go to jail. They changed the sentence.” “They didn’t change the sentence. They said if you went to AA meetings they would dismiss the case. I was there, remember?” “Oh, yeh.”
He didn’t know what time to go to Act 1 because, “they wouldn’t tell me” or “they confuse me” or they are trying to take advantage of me.” “They may have some ulterior motives, but they are there to help you. They don’t exist if it weren’t for people like you who need help.”
“I have to think about this. Having help is a new thing for me. I’d like to get my stuff together first. I have guitars someplace. My pictures are in Middlebury.” “I’ll help you get that stuff. No big deal. Don’t confuse the issue. If you have a place to live, we’ll get the stuff.” “I don’t know where it is. People could have moved.” “I’ll find them.”
I told him about the e-mails from his family and his sister’s statement that she was too overwhelmed to return my phone call. “I am going to call my sister. He messed around in his bag and then got up and left. “I’ll be on the street. Find me later.”
Any day I see Paul is a good day.
Things to support a plan:
Paul and his wife of 27 years, Eileen Field, lived on the income from a Field family trust. An accountant in Middlebury handled their taxes. I don’t know if the trust paid social security taxes, but if it did, Paul is entitled to survivor’s benefits. Identification, death certificate and both social security numbers and date of birth/death are needed to get far with this possibility. My best guess is that the easiest way to the social security number for Eileen Field is through the accountant with a signed release of information from Paul. An informal release is probably fine, a release through a social service organization is probably iron clad, since both their names were on the tax returns, the information should be forthcoming. This scenario just dawned on me as I struggled with what Matt Young said about Paul needing a diagnosis—in order to be eligible for services. I think Paul is better supported if no diagnosis is expected or asked–for now. This could work if all the planets line up. I can help but someone else may be more effective. If not, I’m in.
My siblings and I have offered to pitch in to help Paul with housing. Matt Younghttps://www.duckpondworks.com/?p=1004says that Howard Center has some money too. Not sure what a $500.00 place is like in BTV but, none of us are in a position to carry the expense for long.
Thanks for the updates. xoxo Mary
Thanks for the love and the information. Spoke with Matt today. All moving ahead. Paul be a very special human. An honor to be his friend. Tomorrow morning, myself and another street person are going out to find him, early. Just wonderful to know that you be out there. She knows him from the street, though not by name. He trusts her.