Phil is the first friend I met in Chicago outside the Wal-Greens on State and Walton. Phil runs on the compulsive side. He’s something of an expert on Chicago and Lake Michigan history. The guy loves to read and loves to drink Dr. Pepper. This was a photo taken in late August, 2012. At 50 years of age, I guess it’s obvious he takes care of himself. Phil is a life-long Chicago area native, but has not been home in almost two decades. I don’t ask why. Homeless is not a word that truly depicts his situation although in the strictly literal sense, he is that. For the past 17 years, Phil has never slept anywhere but in the Chicago outdoors. That includes brutally cold weather, blizzards and hot summer August nights. Lots of layers with Phil. He has let it be known he wouldn’t take kindly to someone bothering me. Our friendship seems unlikely, but that goes away quickly so long as you are ready to drop your urge to try and help him in some way. He just doesn’t need or want it. Or at least that’s what he says.
Ralph Braseth 