Fridays with Elbert vol. 2

Elbert is full of ideas and intentions. Each day that he is in the office he spends significant time asking David to research auto and land auctions.

"Hey, uh, David," Elbert says in his scruffy but quiet voice. "When you get a minute can you look up land auctions in Alberta, Canada."

Yes, I said Alberta, Canada. Sometimes he asks David to research plots of land that are close to where he currently resides, Atlanta. One might assume that would be a good idea since he currently has extremely limited resources. But for Elbert it seems like the sky is the limit. Elbert has some goals and ideas about what he wants out of life and where he wants to be.

Sometimes those goals don't seem incredibly logical, but last Friday they were.

We all know August in Atlanta can be miserable, especially if you don't have air conditioning. I have sweat dripping off my face just by walking to the mailbox. Very little energy is exerted. The heat just gets you.

I can only imagine what it must be like for Elbert. He has no house or apartment to retire to in the evening. There is no oasis from the unbearable mid-day sun or lingering evening mugginess. Last Friday, Elbert decided it was time to address this problem.

"Uh, Megan," he said shyly. "Do you know where I can get an air conditioner. You all don't have one around here do you?"

"No, Elbert. That's not one of the items that constitutes as essential, household furniture. We don't get those in here."

"Well, uh, if I got someone to give me one do you think I could plug it up and drag it out to my little place in the woods."

I wasn't here to see it, but I'm sure Megan's face made a questioning look. Possibly a smirk. And if there were others in ear shot, a moment of laughter might have taken them over.

"I would only need about 400 ft of extension cord," Elbert said convincingly.

"Elbert," Megan paused. "Where are you going to plug that up?"

"Oh, well," again Elbert emphatically trying to convince her that this was a suggestion that one might hear everyday. "There's a plug outside by the door."

I can just imagine coming in one day and seeing a bright orange extension cord running the length of our parking lot that spans the width of several thousands of square feet of warehouses. At the end of the 400 ft orange trail there would be Elbert reclining in a hammock, his t-shirt blowing slightly with the power of the cool air forcing out of the air conditioning unit, and a refreshing drink with a decorative umbrella in hand.

I wish Elbert could have this oasis. I wish this was true for Elbert and so many others that are homeless. Walking the Atlanta streets day and night in the sweltering heat.

Elbert's ideas and intentions provide some entertainment for the Furniture Bank staff. Only because they seem so outlandish to us. But when you really think about it, what one of us wouldn't dream up the same if we had no escape from the heat.