I ride the CTA to downtown Chicago every day for school. You get used to all the trash, bodily fluids, and characters on the commute. Desensitized really. Some kid was about to smoke crack right next to me, before he was so rudely interrupted by the couple beside him, gearing up to beat the shit out of him. I just sat there, scrolling TikTok on my phone. Anything turns into background noise, but there was this one time.
I just sat down on the Yellow, and there was this homeless girl in front of me. Yes, girl, not woman, and she was clearly homeless: Chicago Bears flip-flops, and a long-sleeved hooded t-shirt is not the average Chicagoan attire on a cold day. Tucking her arms under her shirt and curling up was clearly an indicator to me. It was striking to see someone so young in such a horrible situation. I had no cash on me, and I had no idea how to approach her—help her. I ended up getting off at Howard and saw her board the red. I hadn’t helped her at all. I boarded the purple express and went on with my day. Background noise, but with a tinge of guilt, pity, and sadness.
After sitting down, I looked to my right to see those same flip-flops. I’d never been more shocked in my life. I finally got myself to sit down next to her. I got to know who Kelley was, how long she’d been homeless for. I gave her my water, my jacket, and I gave her a hug. I, a complete stranger, comforted her. She cried in my arms. She was reluctant to take my jacket as well, as if I needed it more than her. I felt so bad I didn’t have any money to give her, that she’d have to panhandle just to get food later. She looked at me and whisphered sometimes she hated money. For someone who was afraid, held back, and quiet, she could still make someone laugh. I remember getting off, and my entire body was shaking.
I bought a red UIC hoodie that day at the textbook center. It’s my way of remembering her.
Homelessness is too prominent of an issue in Chicago. Articles like this one talk about how the CTA is taking a “compassionate approach” to the homelessness crisis. If there is one thing that shouldn’t become background noise, it’s this.