Evergreen Stew | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Evergreen Stew | Previous Challenge Entry
By Craig Lankford
10/23/08
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The day started cold and dreary. While the sky was mostly overcast, the sun shone briefly from the horizon before ducking behind the clouds. Benji peered at the sky through red, bleary eyes. A Mighty Ducks stocking cap was pulled low over his ears and almost over his eyes. His unkempt, grayish hair stuck out from beneath the frayed edges of the cap. Even though he was fully clothed, his tattered blankets did little to keep out the cold.

He didn't want to get out of “bed.” Benji's life had long since left him behind. Its few remnants were like bread crumbs scattered on the ground, so stale that not even starving pigeons would eat them. He no longer remembered how old he was, nor did he care. Age didn't matter anymore. If he had family someplace, they knew less of his whereabouts than he did of their's. Benji was a statistic, one of the “forgotten” homeless.

To most people, Benji was invisible or ignored. He was simply a shambling mound of dirty clothing forming an obstacle to those moving around him. Time and illness had reduced him even more. He wasn't pretty to look at and must have appeared mean since no one would talk to him. Once, Benji was too proud to beg, now he no longer had the energy to do so. Sometimes a “real” person would give him a little change, occasionally a few dollars.

Still, Benji knew he had to get out of bed. The Salvation Army would serve lunch today but it was several miles away. They weren't going to come to him. “Go ye, therefore, unto all nations” had long since transformed into “y'all come!” Looking around his “room,” he was grateful to be inside. Benji had found a way into an abandoned factory on the edge of town and made his home by dragging back stuff cast off by others.

Today was Christmas Eve, he knew this from all the signs, and from the stores that wouldn't let him inside. Celebrating was about the furthest thing from his mind. Benji untangled himself from his blankets and bundled them. He began his slow trek towards the Salvation Army and food.

Leaving the building, he saw the same car down the street that had been there for two weeks. A young family was staying in it while they tried to get on their feet again. A little, blond headed girl played on the sidewalk by the car. For some reason, Benji stopped to talk to her. Her mother came up protectively, but let him talk a little longer. Benji found himself inviting the whole family up for Christmas dinner that night, and telling them how to get in. The young mother looked unsure but said she would ask her husband. With that, Benji moved slowly down the street.

What had he done? He had little food for himself, much less for others. He certainly had no gifts. As he moved off, Benji had an idea. A Christmas tree salesman a few blocks away had already sold the good trees, abandoning the scraggly remaining ones. Benji collected all the little trees and took them home. Several homeless people asked him what he was doing and he told them, invariably inviting them to come too. Though he had little for ornaments, he made an indoor Christmas tree forest. His tummy rumbled and he wondered about feeding all his guests. He had two cans of beef stew in his room and a big pot. It would have to be enough.

As the sun set, people began to arrive. When it began to get dark, a couple of men found some metal barrels and lit fires. Benji pulled out his pot, put the two cans of stew in and added water. The pot dwarfed its contents. He heaved a tired sigh and sank down into the remains of an overstuffed chair.

While he didn't see the young family, two dozen others were there. Surprisingly, each person approached the pot, adding some vegetables or meat gathered during the day. Slowly the simmering pot filled up. Then Benji saw them, the young family came in slowly, gazing in wonder. The child spotted him and ran over to jump in his lap. Benji smiled. Reaching inside his jacket, he pulled out a mushed, wrapped box for her. She giggled delightfully as she opened the doll inside.

At least for tonight, Benji had both family and Christmas. Benji had come home.

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