Deep into the woods behind what was once a thriving K-Mart store in Nashville was where we ended up tonight. As we hiked just out of the sight of Harding Road, we neared the tents, the piles of 40-oz beer bottles, the overturned shopping carts that were once used at the K-Mart store and the sofa's that were likely dumped behind the now closed store... As we approached we said, "knock - knock." We then heard the reply, "Come on in." As we entered they said, "Have a seat, how are you guys?"
After talking for a while, the man on the left who is holding the air-soft gun extended his hand... "The police who come down here to check on us call me Short Bus or JuJu Lips." The man on the right then told us that they are homeless, but nice and that we were welcome here. A third man who is not in this shot later told us that "Short Bus" was once a very large weightlifter, but after using crack he lost his mass. Short Bus agreed and said that after using crack, "It all fell off." A man named Tony then told Short Bus to drop and do a set of push-ups. He counted out 20 and then sat back down on the discarded van seat. Short Bus then told us that he only uses "free crack" and would not spend his own money on it. His money was only used for alcohol and weed.
After sitting and talking for about 45-minutes, one of the men asked, "Would you take a group picture of all of us, we're family." My friend Jerry Craddock said that he would take the shot. You could see the excitement building in their eyes as they gathered together with their arms around one another and smiled.
We went on our way and two of the men actually hugged us as we left. Those who are homeless simply want a real conversation with someone who doesn't quiz them about finding a job or what they did last night. They were starving for outside interaction.
We then went to drugstore and Jerry got the group picture developed. We returned to the camp with a framed photo in hand. They were so excited! They were all talking about how great it was and discussed as a group where they should place it. The decision was made... their very first group photo was placed on their make-shift kitchen table.
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