Just In Case

by Adam D. Fisher, 2022

Fred, whose car broke down,

didn’t have money to fix it

and lost his minimum wage job

because he couldn’t get to work.

Then, because he couldn’t

pay his rent, he was evicted

from his basement apartment.

Now he lives in the woods

off Rogers Road in a spot

among the bushes so he can’t

be seen even in winter.

He’s made a bed of old quilts

he found in a dumpster;

keeps a sharp knife under

his pillow just in case.

He collects bottles to make

a few dollars, stole a bike

he uses to get around

and ask for work,

eats in soup kitchens,

washes in their bathrooms.

Finally he got a job

as a night cleaner in an office.

He washes the floor,

empties baskets and cleans

the bathrooms.

At least it is warm.

Soon, he’ll save enough

to rent a basement apartment

but he won’t get a car—

won’t take a chance

on unexpected bills.