The Story of Tasha

Steven: “Hello! My name is Steven… what’s your name?”
Tasha: “I’m Tasha. Do you mind if I can have your coffee?”

Steven: “Of course…I haven’t drank from it so hope you enjoy it…How long have you been out here?”
Tasha: “On and off since I was twenty. So, what, seven years now? Gosh, that sounds awful when you say it out loud.”

Steven: “What happened?”
Tasha: “Same old story you’ve probably heard a million times. I left home at a young age so around 14 or 15 because I had a big fight with my parents and I thought I could make it on my own. I did get a job and a place and I had anger issues, which was why I fought with my parents a lot. The anger issue made me lose my job and the stuff happens really quickly and obviously I had no one to support me.”

Steven: “Did you make any friends after you moved out?”
Tasha: “No, people usually avoided me because of my anger issues so I can’t really blame that.”

Steven: “I’m glad you’re sharing this with me… Did you find a way to manage your anger issues?”
Tasha: “Yeah, I mean out here, if I don’t then people will call the police on me and I’ll get charge with harassment. Not assault though because I would never go that far. Also, I don’t have much people to talk and I never did my whole life. Not back at home either.”

Steven: “Where was home?”
Tasha: “Alabama. It’s a small town there with only one gas station and we didn’t really have any interesting places to go. Not much else so there’s not a lot to do. That’s one reason why I wanted to move because it was boring so I moved to the city thinking life would be better but turns out everything is just way to expensive.”

Steven: “The city is harsh on the homeless population. I have researched it and wrote some articles about it…going back to your family situation, if you don’t mind sharing and if not it’s totally okay, what argument did you and your parents have?”
Tasha: “I don’t mind… it’s been a long time too. My mom was always drunk and my step dad was too and he was also an addict. I think that night my mom wanted to try drugs with him, and I didn’t want her to become like him so I freaked out. I do think that I could’ve handled the situation a lot better, and I said and did some things I shouldn’t have so yeah.”

Steven: “Wow… I’m sorry to hear that and once again, thank you so much for sharing it. I know it’s been many years, but have you ever try to contact them or vice versa?”
Tasha: “No… but I would like to check up on my mom and see how she’s doing. I am also scared to see her being an addict, and I don’t think I can handle that.”

Steven: “Yeah… but if you reach out to her and even if she is addicted, you can always support her and help her get treatment if that’s an option.”
Tasha: “Yeah maybe. I’ll think about it.”

Steven: “Yep, just sit on that thought… do you have a plan living out here? Maybe searching for a job right now?”
Tasha: “Heck no. I had a job as a bartender, met people, but the thing about living paycheck to paycheck is that one bad week and one missed shift, and suddenly you’re kicked out and well.. that happened to me.”

Steven: “That’s one thing everyone has to understand: anyone can be homeless. It just takes one bad thing to happen and the next day, you’ll be struggling. A lot of people who I interviewed said the same thing… do you mind sharing what was the hardest adjustment?”
Tasha: “The noise. The city is loud, but when you’re homeless, it’s a different kind of loud. Sirens, people yelling, cars honking. You never really sleep because everyone’s just up all night. That’s New York City.”

Steven: “Where do you usually sleep?”
Tasha: “Wherever I can. Shelters if I get lucky, but those places are a gamble. Some nights, the sidewalk feels safer than a cot next to someone tweaking. Other times, I crash the laundromat down the street while I pretend I’m waiting for my clothes to dry. I think the owner knows but he probably feels bad for me, and I don’t disturb the costumers.”

Steven: “Did you ever had any close calls with the shelters or sleeping outside because I heard a lot of people here talk about their stuff getting stolen.”
Tasha: “Yeah, a few. Once, some guy tried to climb into my sleeping bag. I carry a box cutter now (laughs). You learn real quick that being nice don’t keep you safe. You gotta protect yourself out here.”

Steven: “Yeah, you have to be careful especially at night. Do you have anyone you trust?”
Tasha: “Trust is expensive out here. Too expensive. I got people I talk to, but trust? Nah. That’s how you get robbed or killed.”

Steven: “That’s interesting, and I understand where you’re coming from, but I think having someone just to hang around with would be helpful… what do you do during the day?”
Tasha: “Depends on how much energy I got. Some days, I just pick up bottles and recycle them and I also cut people’s hair.”

Steven: “That’s cool! You do hair?”
Tasha: “Yeah. My mom was a barber, and back in Alabama, I used to hang out in her barber, so I do have some experience. I still braid and do touch-ups when I can and I even got my kit in my backpack…well, what’s left of it. Ever need a lineup, let me know.”

Steven: “Yep, for sure. That’s awesome though… cutting hair…. do people ask you for haircut or do you offer it to them?”
Tasha: “At first I had to go up to people because obviously they don’t trust me and it’s mostly homeless people like me. Now I have some regulars and even though they don’t pay me, I think cutting hair is fun and when you’re out here, there’s not much to do anyways.”

Steven: “Wow… that is really really surprising and unique and awesome. Next time I need a haircut, I’ll be sure to hit you up.”
Tasha: “Of course of course.”

Steven: “Now, if you had three wishes, what would they be?”
Tasha: “Three wishes… let me think…My first wish would be a barber store that’s not too big. One of those barber stores that has a strong community and the locals know all about it. My second wish would be a freaking good meal, like a whole spread, turkey, mac and cheese, cornbread, the works. And third wish is a cat. I love animals and I dream of getting a cat when I was smaller. Of course, that means I have to make enough to take care of the cat.”

Steven: “No mansion or millions?”
Tasha: “Dreaming too big only sets you up for disappointment. Small wins, man. That’s how you survive.”

Steven: “That makes sense and those are some are some wonderful wishes. I believe they can come true and Tasha, thanks for talking with me.”
Tasha: “No problem”