Ralph

His name is Ralph, he entered my office about 18 months ago, asking for help as he wanted to travel to San Diego. He came in asking for my business partner (Sal), as I told him to have a seat at Sal's desk, I noticed he looked down when he spoke and gave me no eye contact. He explained to Sal that he went to another agency closer to his home, but they were unwilling to help him, he found our agency in the phone book, and so it began, Ralph became our client. As I listened to the conversation between the two of them, It became more clear, that Ralph might me slightly mentally challenged. I e-mailed Sal with my thoughts, and his were the same.

Within the time frame of booking this trip, he told Sal that his mother had passed recently and left him about 180 thousand dollars. He knew the money was not going to last forever as he did not work, so he was thinking of relocating, and San Diego was a place he always wanted to live. Now that his mom had passed he had no one in NJ close to him, except for a father who he explained was uncaring. Sal booked his trip, Ralph paid cash, and on his way he went.

During a wintry snow filled day, Ralph walks into my office, again asking for Sal. When I explained that Sal would not be in because of the weather, he told me he would come back the next day. I asked how he got to my office, he told me he walked. His walk had to take a hour, as he does not live my by office. He then explained that he does not drive, so he has to walk everywhere. I started a conversation with him, so he would feel more comfortable with me, and to my surprise it worked, he started to talk to me, but still not looking me in the eye. It seems San Diego did not work out for him so he wanted to try Phoenix, AZ. I tried with all my might to explain by moving, it would not change his situation, that the money will run out no matter where he went. I told him he should start looking here in NJ for someplace less expensive to live, so the money would last longer. My words meant nothing, as they did not sink in, the eye contact was not there, his mind off in another direction. He left that day without booking the trip, he did come back the next day and booked the trip with Sal to AZ.

As months went by, he booked two more trips to two different states, always booking with Sal. When he came in to book these trips, I always took the time to chat with him again trying to explain, that he should be worrying about finding a new place in NJ that moving to another State does not make his problems go away. My words again, were invisible, I felt helpless.

The other day Ralph called my office wanting to speak with me. As I picked up the phone, Ralph simply said to me, "I am hungry" my heart dropped, as my words came back to me, and I knew the money was gone. I told him I would give him money for food, I could not do it all the time, but I could help him when I can. I told him to come tomorrow, he said he was to hungry, he did not like the hunger pains, so he would walk over today.

As I think back on all this, I am conflicted on why Ralph turned out as he did, as he is capable of working a small job. Or he could have certainly went on permanent disability so the State could help me. But I am drawn back to his mother, was she overprotected? Did she not let him grow? Did she keep him close and take too good care of him? I don't have the answer, I truly don't know. What I do know is that he will be evicted from his apartment soon as he has not paid the rent in two months. I also know I tried contacting the city for him, for housing, but he refused my help. So I have to let it go, I can't control it, I again feel helpless. I can only hope that he will be ok, that perhaps there is angel watching over him to protect me. And I do know one more thing, if he calls me again, and tells me he is hungry, I will give him money so he can feel fulfilled even if its just for a day.