by Grace Alexander

Created on: July 16, 2008

Welcome to my home. Shut the flap behind you, if you will? Thanks. Don't want the breeze to get out.

Have a seat. No, not that orange crate - it has a wobbly slat - here, try this stool. If you lean back against the bedroll you can almost stretch your legs out.

Watch the sterno! I found some almost fresh greens in the dumpster behind the super mart, and I'm gonna eat goooood tonight! Care to stay? No? All right, ask your questions.

No, I didn't always live in a box. Yes, I was a small business owner, that is correct. What? Oh, not a big deal, I sold pet supplies. Yeah.

No, not at all. I'm happy to tell you. Wal Mart happened, that's what happened. One day I'm up on main street, with a house in the burbs, next year I'm living in a box.

Hang on - that's my phone - never mind. I don't want to talk to them, anyway.

Yeah, the dude living in the box has a cell phone. Hey, I had a two year contract! Eight more months to go. I already got hit with early termination when my satellite service got shut off. I managed to downgrade my plan, so it only runs me about $80 for basic service, no long distance, no roaming, no texting. I just have to stay on the west side of the box - I don't get any bars on the east side.

Hang on, that guy just tossed a soda can out the window - thank God for litterers! Here, stick that in that bag in the corner behind you, will ya?

Thanks. That's how I pay the cell phone bill. What's that? Family? Well, noActually, my wife left me. Yeah. For the manager of the Wal Mart, actually. Yeah, kinda stung. I'm trying not to be bitter.

What are my plans for the future? Well, I managed to get an entry level job with a large company, and I hope I can advance into a higher position. No, I'd rather not say. It's almost time for me to get ready for work, though, so if there is nothing else -?

No, I have to walk. No, no car - what, you think I'd be living in a box, I got a car? Price of gasoline, it made more sense me to part my car out. Nah, it's not far. Thanks for the offer.

All right then, thanks for showing up. Nice to know somebody cares. Hey, what are you doing? Leave that alone - stop it! You got no right looking in the closet! It doesn't matter it's just a piece of cardboard with tape hinges!

Yeah, that's my work clothes. What of it! Belligerent? Buddy, you ain't seen belligerent yet. Yeah, so I work at Wal Mart. Big deal. I'm not gonna tell you tha- Fine! Okay! I work as a friggin' greeter, okay? You happy now? You happy?

Learn more about this author, Grace Alexander.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.