He smiled as he stated to me... "Hello Mr. North." I said, "Hi, do you need a blanket for tonight? It is 33-degrees and that leather jacket does not look warm." He responded, "No, I will be alright Mr. North, I'll be alright. I'm gonna sleep right here. Right here Mr. North."
As he spoke he continuously folded a small piece of paper between his fingers switching from the right hand to the left. "Have you done any drugs tonight?" I asked out of concern. "No, no Mr. North - drugs are not good for you. I was told never to do drugs or drink," he said with a smile.
He called me Mr. North because I was wearing a North Face coat. Mental illness is very much alive on the streets and in homeless communities all over our country.