MEDICINE

They made a big act out of ignoring him, not getting too near, taking great interest in parked cars and shop windows. One woman buried a hand deep inside her bag to look for something that wasn’t there. Realising that this may be interpreted as preparing to buy a magazine she decided to cross over the road and a distance away cross back. Held up by traffic I caught her bitter expression. He begged more than anything. Pleaded with the passers by with a pleeease that instantly dulled the blue sky grey. People went by with their reasons, sometimes making excuses but mostly looking through him. He didn’t seem to have much English but the word he knew he made better use of than anyone I ever heard. I felt weak hearing it. I would stare at the ground walking by but not see the ground, it would be a mirror reflecting my thoughts and my feelings and I would tread on them and everybody would tread on them. Even the bitter wind felt unusually guilty and distracted and visible at the sight of this, or rather the sound, skulking by ashamed.

A man approached.

     ‘Listen I would buy a copy from you but I’ve spent all my money on medicine.’ He held up a hand full of small plastic bottles and containers to show the Big Issue seller, who looked at them curiously before offering him a magazine.

     ‘No no I’ve just spent every last penny I had on these, I’ve nothing left.’

Clearly unsure of what was being said, once again a magazine went out into the space between them. The other man shook his head and put a hand on the seller’s shoulder to draw him in slightly.

  ‘I need this medicine, do you understand my friend?’