Exploring the Charming Paths of the Friendly City

I’ve taken to meandering The Friendly City at 3, 4 and 5 a.m. I thought I would take advantage of the cool air and the quiet hours before the Working Man straps his boot on, the Business Man ties his tie and the Running Man laces his Nikes. But as I started to make my way to the former Tina Watkins Washette on Highway 45 North in Columbus, Miss., another element came to life – the Hidden Homeless – driven from the open, seeking to hide from the waking hours.

The bench at the laundromat seemed as fitting a place as any to take a break from my miles-long wandering. From Highway 373 to Fifth Street North is nothing to sneeze at. But it is an easy walk if you take it slow – calm and peaceful, no lights for miles, just trees and the occasional bark from a neighbor’s dog. And there’s no worry of traffic during the witching hours.

The area around Highway 373 in Lowndes County is fondly referred to as The Wood by those who live there. It is the forgotten part of Supervisor District 2 though it is right outside of the south gate of Columbus Air Force Base. Even the base has shut its doors to The Wood, only catering to the main gate off Highway 45. But that’s a story for another day.

Today’s story is about Christine and Bo, whose names I have changed because I did not ask permission to include them in this blog post. “Where is he?” she huffed and puffed. I supposed if we had a house handy, she would have blown it down. By now, me and my new friend, Chris (his real name) had walked away from the laundromat. Actually, I walked away, and he followed me like a puppy offering me water, ice and snacks of various sorts from the basket on the back of his electric bicycle. 

The water I received with thanksgiving and gladness. The rest I declined and left Chris and company privacy as they discussed how she would “kill them if they are together.” She apparently had until daylight to catch them, kill them or whatever else the day held in store before the sun gave way to the Working Man, the Business Man, the Running Man.

A charming cobblestone street with colorful houses and flowers