zinferno / Gary Amerine

this place creeped the hell out of me as a teenager. People running around in the middle of the night. there was many a lurid story about what really went on in the bushes here when i was 16.

When i was 16 years old i was one of many (2500+) homeless youth on the streets of Seattle with no where to go, nothing to look forward to.

One day i found myself up on Broadway alone and just standing out on the strip trying to mind my own business when a man approached me and asked me if i needed help. I wasn’t asking for anything from anyone so i was rather surprised by his inquiry but never the less nodded my head and humbly reply that yes i did. i was hungry and couldn’t remember the last time i had a real meal that didn’t require either stealing something or asking for a handout.

So this stranger took me over to Dick’s and ordered two large bags full of food for me. He asked me if i knew where the youth shelter was and when i replied that i did, he nodded and told me to look out for myself and stay out of trouble before walking away.

I wish i could remember who he was, or at the very least what he looked like but i was so ashamed of myself in that moment that I don’t think i even looked him straight in the eye once. It was one of those pivotal moments in my life i think, something so brief yet significant. I think i found a little bit of hope and faith again in my life with those two bags of Dick’s burgers given to me from a stranger.

who ever you were – thank you so much. I wish i could have really thanked your for your act of kindness but couldnt do anything but hide behind my own shame.

First time i went here i was being born… Anaheim General Hospital back in 1973. laughs