The Comfort of Home

Video

Skinner in Her New Apartment

Virginia Skinner, who had lived in a tunnel on and off for about 12 years, moved into her own apartment in October.

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"The move is an adjustment. It is the keeping them housed that becomes a challenge. Our agency is so committed to keeping people off the street, we will support them."

Plans for the Day

Virginia is pushing a baby stroller down Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda. Instead of a baby, the stroller holds a blue suitcase. She is on the way to the dentist.

She passes Michael Casey, 54, who is holding a sign. "I'm still homeless," Casey said. When told of Virginia's move, Casey says, "God bless her. I thought with all that stuff she wouldn't budge." But Virginia fooled him.

And on down the avenue, she pushes her stroller, smiling, stopping to chat with people who knew her in the tunnel. Today, she is wearing a pink scarf, a bluejean dress, orange Nike shoes, shimmering eye shadow and pink lipstick. "It's wine, my favorite color."

She checks her day planner. Crosses the street. Enters the Chevy Chase dental office, where the receptionist, dental assistant and dentist greet her warmly. They recognize her from long ago.

She pushes her stroller from the waiting room into the back offices. "I don't want anybody going through my things." She stands for an unnerving X-ray. The dentist, Mehran Armani, a kind man, examines her. Tells her she has two broken teeth, prescribes antibiotics and schedules her for a follow-up appointment.

She leaves the office. Stands near the curb. Places money orders into white envelopes to mail her bills.

A strange, warm January wind blows. She smiles, a woman having emerged from a tunnel with hope.

She stops outside Miller's Furs and poses for a photo in front of five fur coats behind a glass display. "I want one of these," she says. "I already have the hat. I look good in fur."

She continues window shopping, pushing her babyless stroller, and stops at Willow Lane. The name of the street "reminds me of the Dolly Parton song." Then she sings in a beautiful voice, making up her own lyrics: " What's your mama's name, child? What's your mama's name, child? Did she ever tell you about a place called Willow Lane?"

She moves up the street and rests on a bench where she used to sleep. "This is where I used to stay before I went into the tunnel." The clock tower hits 3:31. And Virginia is ready to go home.

"I'm not going back in that tunnel." She smiles.