Per Adult Probation requirements, I attend a weekly SOP (standard outpatient) substance abuse treatment class on Wednesdays from 4:30-7:30. This class is at TERROS which is located at 49th St and McDowell. About 18 months ago, I had a "super secret" crash spot I was staying at right across the street. Today I got to group about a half hour early and figured I would wander over and take a few pictures. It still looks the same. First, the picture above is the Jack in the Box at 48th st. and McDowell (taken from the car ride there). I used to meet my connect here almost every day and re-up. He stayed in the apartment complex just behind here, and didn't want me coming into his apartment when his baby mama was there, so we met here. I saw him when I was in jail, he had just signed a plea and was getting ready to go to prison for a long time.
I got high in that Jack-in-the-crack bathroom a LOT. I remember one time I came out and saw a bunch of items thrown about in the parking lot...it looked like someone had been chased and dropped all their stuff and then disappeared. I found a suitcase full of clothes some of which were spilling out, a partial dose of methadone in a bottle, a bunch of lighters, some cigarettes, and a bus pass. JITB had just closed and no one was around, so I grabbed all the stuff and took it.
Across the street there is a business complex with little brick walls. I stayed behind those walls at night for about 2 months. Particularly the wall on the right side of that building from where this picture was taken. Right here:
I used to have a little mat that I left back there, and a couple of blankets and a pillow. They've obviously since been removed, but this was my home for a short while. I remember one occasion when it rained pretty bad, and it was all flooded back there as there is poor drainage, and I didn't care to move and just sat there miserable in the wet muddy rocks. Life is so much better now.
Today I am grateful that I'm brought back to this spot in a much more positive state. That life is seeming to come around full circle and in a very good way. I am grateful that I don't have to sleep here anymore, that I have a nice bed and pillow indoors where I can rest in a dry, climate controlled environment. I'm grateful that I don't waste time and life in public restrooms anymore getting high.
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