My first night in homeless town.

"Hey man, the rent is due. Where's your share?" It was the last day of the month and rent time was here. I have been dreading this moment all week. I had been sick for a couple of weeks and didn't have the money for August rent. It was now time to face reality. "I hate to tell you this, but I don't have it and I'm not sure when I'm going to get it." My roommate is nice enough guy, but it was time for me to face it, money is money and there is no such thing as free rent. "Rob, I hate to tell you this, but I got another guy who wants to rent your room. He's already given me a deposit. You got to go brother. I wish you the best."

I have never been without a roof over my head. I'd slept in my car a time or two, but with no where to stay and no where to turn, this was a first. I packed up my stuff, which wasn't much, and called a friend of mine to see if he could store it for me. He agreed, and an hour later he came over and I loaded it in his car. "Where are you going to stay?" The truth of the matter is I didn't know. "I don't know buddy, I'll probably find a nice piece of cardboard, a shady tree and set-up residence somewhere on the block." My friend knew that I was in trouble and told me that he would help if he could. I appreciated his gesture, but he doesn't owe me anything, as a matter of fact no one owes me a thing. I put myself in this jam and it's my responsibility to get myself out of it. I kept a backpack with some clothes and toiletries.

Life was now my guide. After wandering aimlessly for a few hours I found acceptable shelter, albeit, it was a shady tree at a local park. To my chagrin, the park closed at nine. Well, as I'm walking down the road wondering where to lie my head next, I saw a trailer parked at a local business. The trailer sat back from the road a bit and it seemed to provide adequate shelter from mother nature. I made my way behind the trailer and realized I was not alone. There laid another vagabond sleeping on his king size cardboard. While I was living in my apartment, I'd seen this guy around the neighborhood a few times and even knew his name. "Joe, do you mine if I sleep here?" Vagabonds tend to be territorial. So I wanted his approval before I called it a night. He answered me with an air of discern. "I don't care man. Just stay on that side of the trailer and leave me alone."

I took my shoes off and laid down on my cardboard. As I'm lying there looking at the partially starry Vegas night; my life has begun anew.