I stopped my car at Larry’s (not his real name) apartment building as he strolled across the parking lot carrying his trash can to the dumpster. (When we first met in 2017, he lived in the homeless camps down a trail.)

I jumped from my car, hollering, “Oh my gosh, I need my sunglasses.”

Startled, Larry responded, “What are you saying?” “I’m saying your legs are the whitest.” He glanced down. “Yep, I don’t tan.” Teasing, I said, “But you have extra long legs, which gives off...