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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: FRESH START (01/05/17)
The possibility of becoming homeless had never crossed my mind. I couldn’t imagine not having a safe place to live, plenty of food, and a loving family. It doesn’t matter why that all changed.

We don’t go by our real names on the street. Nonetheless, alliances are made, and many of us form support systems that relieve a little of the survival stress.

My two friends-in-need have stories similar to mine. I’m the blonde, so they call me Goldie. The elegant one with auburn hair is Ruby. The other one has been at this longer than Ruby and me. She can’t remember her last bath, so we haven’t dubbed her any color name. She’s older. We just call her Nana.

The weather changed so drastically we didn’t have time to make better sleeping arrangements. Ruby found an abandoned refrigerator box in a back alley away from the harsh winter wind. We tried to make it do, but in the middle of the night we were all miserable and shaking. Nana began to cough and became very weak.

That’s when we heard a truck stop and could see a big light shine back and forth.

I wasn’t sure what to do but hoped it would just leave. On these dangerous streets, one never knows who’s a friend or foe.

“Nana, try to be quiet.”

A large gloved hand opened the flap of our makeshift home. Two men in official-looking uniforms scanned the inside of our freezing cold cardboard home. None of us made a sound or acknowledged their presence.

The younger man had a soothing voice.

“Hey, Sam. More pitiful street urchins trying to get through the night.”

Sam was a little gruffer sounding.

“Our orders are to get as many to shelters as we can find. There’s still room for a few more.”

Ruby pulled back, trying to become invisible. Nana made no move to resist. She was so weak the younger fellow scooped her up with little effort and carried her in his arms to the truck.

I whispered to my healthier pal, “Listen…we need to go too. We’ll never find Nana if we don’t. Besides, some food would be nice and maybe we could get a hot bath and a real blanket.”

That seemed to resonate with her trusting heart.

As soon as we were ushered through the double doors, intoxicating warmth enveloped us like a spring day. Someone ordered the men to carry Nana to a special room reserved for the sickly ones. Ruby was assigned one area, and I wound up in another one next to several who were already asleep.

After a hearty breakfast, a bunch of us were taken to the large bath area. Wow…did that feel great! I didn’t see Ruby or Nana. Since the weather was so treacherous, we were able to stay inside and rest. I missed my street buddies. Calling out to them didn’t help. There was too much other noise.

By the next day, I figured out the ranks were shrinking. I heard some chatter about certain ones being moved to other places. Some even had families who were contacted and picked them up. I caught a glimpse of Nana in sick bay. She looked a little better.

The first day the sun came out there were smiling strangers waiting in the lobby with the apparent intent to take me home with them. I was puzzled. I didn’t know these people.

They seemed nice enough, but it broke my heart to think about leaving my old friends behind.

I hollered as loud as I could, “Nanaaaa! Ruubbby! Where are you?”

There was no answer. I considered my options and decided to accept any hospitality available. They gave me a nice cozy room with a lovely clean bed, but I couldn’t stop crying. Food did not interest me. Finally, the kind people left me alone. I heard the car start. Did this mean I was abandoned again?

In a little while, exhausted from sadness and weeping, I heard the door open and lots of excited chattering.

Hey, wait! That’s Nana and Ruby!

They came bounding in to greet me. We were all trying to talk at once. As far as I could figure out, the shelter folks remembered we had been rescued together, so my new family adopted my two dear BFFs as well.

Every day is a blessing for us now. We have a wonderful home and new names. This is about as good as a dog’s life gets.
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This article has been read 679 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
01/15/17
Oh, this story touched my heart!
Beautifully written with a powerful message.

God bless~
Bonnie Bowden 
01/19/17
Congratulations, Linda, on your 7th place finish.

I wish the homeless situation was not so complex, and more people could come and find such a resting place.
Hannah Gaudette
01/19/17
This is so creative! I was totally not expecting that last line. Well done, Linda, and congratulations.
Trudy Newell
01/20/17
Wow - this was so sweet. It made me ask the Lord to deepen my compassion for the homeless. I, too, was NOT expecting the last line.

A well-told story that reminds us of the needs of the many who do not have a home to go to tonight, and don't know where their next meal is coming from.

Congratulations! Keep writing - Trudy
Bea Edwards 
02/22/17
Big toothy ear too ear grin. I didn't catch on until almost the end. Good one.