There is a man who lost his legs who always hangs out around Michigan and Wacker, so I thought I'd share the summer spirit (and my s'mores bars) with him. "Hi! Do you like s'mores?" "No, I have bad teeth so I don't eat sweets." Okay... fair enough. Although I have to say that's never stopped me. But I won't hold that against my new friend, so I asked him about his story. His name was Tony, and he lost his legs two years ago. He was living on lower Wacker and ended up with a terrible combination of frostbite, gangrene, and diabetes. I asked him how he ended up living on lower Wacker to begin with, and while I never really discovered how he became homeless, I did learn that he originally had a home in Baltimore. He came to Chicago years ago to try to find a friend he met while in the military. He did find his friend, although he didn't really tell me what became of that. My favorite part of Tony's story is what he's up to now. He currently lives in an apartment funded by and agency, so he's saving the funds he collects on the street to try and obtain a copyright for a book he wrote. I can't remember the name of this book (maybe this project can also be an exercise for my short-term memory), but he said it's based on the bible and the struggles that he has faced in life. I so love when I meet people like Tony who have run into such hard times but still try to make the best of it and even try to create a better future for themselves. Next time I see Tony I'll have to write down the name of that book so I can keep my eye out and see if anything ever becomes of it.
Although it was nice to meet and talk to Tony, I still had a plate of s'mores bars in my hands and therefore felt like I hadn't really accomplished my mission for the night. A few days ago, my good friend and idea-contributor Cindy suggested that I eventually circle back to some of the people I've met so far and write a little update on them. Given that it was such a beautiful day, I was certain I'd find Willy from week #1 at his post outside Bockwinkel's and thought this could be the perfect opportunity for that. But before I headed that way, I had to run and errand on State Street. Outside the store I was going into, there was a man sitting on the ground holding a cardboard sign saying "I'm homeless, anything helps." I thought okay, this is a sign. Literally and figuratively. I can have two stories in one week- why not!
I started the same way I had with Tony- "Hi! Do you like s'mores?" His response? "No, I don't like marshmallows." Well, actually before that it was "What are s'mores?" I don't know if I was more disappointed that he didn't want my bars, or that he didn't know what s'mores were. Even so, I stopped to chat with my second new friend. His name was Maurice. Maurice is originally from Minnesota. He moved here for a job managing a fast-food restaurant. That went out of business nine months ago, and he hasn't been able to find work since then. The only family he has is his mother, but she lives in a nursing home back in Minnesota. He's actively looking for a new job and is hoping to find one soon. I went into the store and when I came back out he said "Shelley! Think you can help me out with a couple dollars?" I told him I never carry cash- which is true. Then he asked me if I could buy him some Garrett's popcorn from across the street. I apologized and explained that once a week I bake something and give it to a homeless person in the area, and I'm trying not to get into the habit of buying extra things for the people I meet, because then I'd probably end up one of them. So he asked me if I could instead make him some vanilla cake sometime. I can't say plain 'ol vanilla cake is my favorite thing to bake, but we'll see, Maurice. We'll see.
So that was two different rejections for my s'mores bars, and one person who even requested something else entirely. My baking ego needed a pick-me-up, so I was really hoping to run into one of my friends from weeks past who I knew would gladly take any and all of my sweets. First I passed underneath the Wabash el stop where I met Ted during week #3. I got really excited for a moment because I saw someone leaning on a cane and I thought it was him. As I got closer, I realized it was actually a lady- someone I haven't met yet. I thought about stopping for a third story, but I honestly didn't think I could remember anything else at the moment- it was only thirty minutes since meeting Tony and I had already forgotten the name of his book! Also, my bars couldn't take a third heartbreak. But I've seen her in that area before, so now I know who I'm looking to meet next week. Yeesh, I probably should have stopped and asked her what treats she likes to be safe!
I continued on toward home, feeling pretty good that I'd come across Willy. And sure enough, there he was, in his usual spot. I asked him if he remembered me, and he couldn't place me until I reminded him of the pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. "Ohhhh yes! Those were so, so good! They were so moist!!" Whew, there's the ego boost I needed! Willy told me that later on in the cold and rainy night I last saw him, someone had given him $20 so he and his wife could spend the night at the homeless shelter. Wait, back up, wife? He never mentioned a wife! "Oh sure- there she is over there." He pointed across the street to a woman limping with a walker. "She got shot in the projects a while back. There's a lot of anger over there. When people get to live in the project housing, they are seen as high-class in the area and the people who don't get to live there get jealous and mad. Shirley got caught in the crossfire of one of those fights." We chatted some more and he told me that Shirley loves sweets and will be glad to have my s'mores bars. I said goodbye to Willy for the night and crossed the street to meet his wife of 15 years.
Shirley was a delightful lady with a bright smile. After I introduced myself, she grabbed my hand, squeezed it tight, and said "Oh, that's very close to my name! I can remember that!" She kept laughing at herself for being so out of breath. She stays across the street from Willy so she can rest on the hotel steps now and then, but she gets kicked off if she stays too long. Therefore, she has to keep switching steps, and with her injury it's no easy feat. Behind her smile, you could tell she was in a lot of pain. I think I'm going to keep a couple advils on hand from now on in case I see her again. Shirley politely asked me if I might be able to help her get something to eat. I said well sure, I actually just dropped off some s'mores bars with Willy. She seemed a bit disappointed, although this time I think it had less to do with what kind of bars they were and more to do with it being a dessert in general. I think she was hoping for something more substantial. While I was talking to Willy, a man around my age come out of the store and said "Hey Willy! My man! What's going on!" and gave him a Pepsi and a Milky Way. I remember during my last visit with Willy, he had similar snacks sitting next to him. I have a feeling this happens a lot- well meaning people bringing them treats. I am pretty certain I have the biggest sweet tooth of anyone I know, but even I know there's a limit. Next time I see them, I might have to see about getting a little PB&J in their tummies.
That has to be a universally yummy and nutritious meal that no one can turn down.... right?
S'mores Bars
- 3 c crushed graham crackers
- 3/4 c melted butter
- 1/3 c sugar
- 1 bag mini marshmallows
- 1 bag chocolate chips
Mix the crackers, butter, and sugar. Press half of that into the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan. Spread out marshmallows. Spread out chocolate chips on top of that. Next press the remaining graham cracker crumbs on top. Bake on 350 for about 10 minutes. Press down firmly with a spatula immediately after taking out of the oven. These bars are going to be deliciously messy no matter what, but if you want them to be easier to cut, chill them in the fridge for a few hours first.
The beauty of this recipe is that you can really modify the amount of marshmallows and chocolate chips however you want in order to achieve your ideal mallow-chocolate ratio.
Hmm... I think perhaps not PB&J but something salty with veggies because I think it would still be too sweet.
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