He Said His Name Was Jay

Earlier a guy came in carrying a duffel bag and backpack.  Young, 26 years old.  He started talking to me about the train.  He wants the train to Bloomington.  He has a 6 hour wait.  He sits down and starts talking.  Talking and talking.  I gave him a cup of coffee.  He told me many stories.  One thing he was consistent about was that he is going to Bloomington to stay with his cousin.  He rambled quite a bit.  He said he spent last night in this town 20 miles north of here.  Mainly he walks.  My impression is that he is homeless, maybe mentally ill.  He sounds schizophrenic.  Not dangerous.  Friendly as can be.  The average person might not think he was mentally ill.  I picked up on a few things while he was talking.  He is exhausted.  He asked if he could put his head down.  I told him yes.  He wants to own a restaurant.  He loves food.  He showed me a food magazine.  He wants to go to culinary school.  I tried to find out if he worked.  Does not sound like it.  He says he has $10:00 for the train.  He dozed for a little while.  I would let him sleep her all day but not a great look for my shop.  He asked if people in my town are friendly.  I said not really but they would not hurt him.  He is an African American stranger in a mainly white town. 
Coach stopped by for an afternoon snack while Jay had his head down resting.  Coach motioned to me, what's going on.  I wrote him a note.  Several customers came in while Jay was here.  He spoke to them too.  He is very personable.
I asked him when was the last time he had food.  He said he thinks two days.  I told him I would give him money to go get a good meal but he would have to walk.  He said he would.  I gave him directions to a family style restaurant.  I told him he would pass Dairy Queen but I hope he would walk an additional block to get a good meal.  He said he would.  He was appreciative.  He asked if there was work he could do to pay me back.  I said no.  Just make sure he ate. 
I wish there was a place I could send him to sleep.  He said he was distracted and his phone was stolen.  Who knows if he really had a phone.  That happened in Chicago.  He still has a few hours until the train.  I'm sure I will see him back here before I close.  I told him if I do not see him that when he gets to Bloomington if he does not have a place to go there are some shelters.  The shelters will at least get him a warm meal. 
I know he was sent to me.  I wish I could say, do you have an illness.  I'm sure he would deny it.  I hope there is a cousin in the city.  I hope the cousin lets him stay.  He mentioned that family gets tired of him and sends him along his way.  Glad I was able to offer him money for a meal before I sent him off.  I thought about having food delivered so I knew he really ate.  But, I can't have people feeling uncomfortable when they come in the shop.  There was nothing about him that screamed, I want money for drugs or booze.  I really think he is just hungry and tired.  Now he will only be tired.