Shelter Kid
By: Jon Stewart
(© 2021 by the author)

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

jstewart@tickiestories.us

Chapter 11

Father Rick called Pops during the week. Coats were coming into the church like it was summer, and no one ever needed one again. Father Rick was amazed and jokingly asked if Josh could give a talk when the Archbishop's annual appeal came around. Pops said he would talk to Josh about the Archbishop and that they would get the coats on Saturday. He would have Billy to help him and Josh.

Josh and Pops picked up Billy at the bus station on Friday. They were most happy to see each other and caught up on the events of the week. Josh getting out of remedial classes was the big item. Billy being able to shower without the weirdoes was another. After a good breakfast on Saturday morning, they headed into the city and to St. Francis. Upon arriving they caught up with Father Rick and he said the coats were in the church's basement and gym. He gave them the key to load up.

They went down to take a look.

"Wow," Billy said as he surveyed the number of coats." There must be 300 or 400 coats here. You did some good talk, Josh"

"You helped with it too, Billy. Don't blame me that we have all these to cart to the shelter."

"Look, you both did good. This will take a couple loads so save your energy for the carting." Pops said.

They brought the first load up from the basement Pops opened the van. Some boys were playing basketball on the outdoor courts.

"Hey you're him, aren't you?" one kid asked.

Josh looked around to be sure he was talking to him.

"Yeah, you are."

Josh wasn't sure if was going to have to run or fight. The boy questioning was a tall lanky, black, fellow.

"Boy, my momma gave it to me about being more like you. Get out there and help people like that white boy does. She said to me."

"Uh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause anyone any trouble."

"Oh, it's no trouble, but I feel like I gotta help you with all the coats. And my bro's will help too if you want."

"Wow, would you," Billy said. "Have you seen how many are down there"

"Yup, how do you think they got, there. Father Rick lets us use the gym if we help out around the church."

Josh said "Does your momma know."

"Well, I like to keep it a secret; then when Father Rick says thanks, My momma just smiles and smiles and makes me the best chicken a la king going. So, it works out pretty good."

They all chuckled at that. "So, what do I call you, dude?" Josh asked.

"I'm Derrick, the goofy looking guy with the glasses is Matt, the tall blond boy is Paul, and the smallish Spanish kid is Shorty."

"Well, I'm Josh and this is Billy, he's still in the shelter and this is Pops, our foster grandpa."

"Paul said, "You look familiar, did you play CYO ball?"

"Yeah, now I remember you, Paul, but you were a lot smaller then. Guess you grew!!"

"My `rents said I hit a growth spurt or something."

Pops said, "Well, thanks for helping boys but we better get to work. It looks like 3 or 4 trips in the van."

With that the 6 teenagers went to work. They worked in teams one boy would load another ‘til he couldn't carry any more. Then 2 of the loaders did the same thing until only one loader was left and he became a carrier for the next round. They had the van loaded for the first trip in 20 minutes. Derrick and Paul asked to go to the shelter. Josh stayed behind with Matt and Shorty. Pops got out an old piece of plastic to put on the ground to protect the coats. They could bring up more while he was delivering what was in the van. Pops called Luke to arrange the delivery and he was so happy to hear about Josh's plan and that it worked to perfection. Luke had arranged for the shelter staff and a few homeless volunteers to help off-load and sort the coats by size and gender. With such a great team working together the project was delivered in an hour and a half. Matt and Shorty went on the second delivery and they all went on the last one. Pops said it was mandatory.

After the delivery, Pops had spied a Boston Market on the previous trip and pulled in the parking lot. "I want to thank you boys for doing such a good job today. Let me buy you guys lunch. I know you gotta be hungry. Derrick it won't be as good as your momma chicken a la king, but it will fill your insides."

"You sure, Mr. Pops it'll be expensive feeding all 6 of us."

"Jeeze, Josh, another guy worrying about my finances. Yes, Derrick believe me I know; it’s not that much and the food is better than McDonalds. Now out of the van all of you and get anything you want."

The boys didn't have to be told twice. They all got decent dinners and Pops made sure they got dessert.

Josh caught up with Paul about basketball. They talked about the shelter folks who helped, one was old Jesse and he did his farting joke. They laughed and carried on like teenagers do. Billy seemed to be having the most fun. Pops sat back and smiled joined when needed, but the boys controlled the conversation. Pops drove them back to St. Francis. The boys thanked Pops for lunch; Pops and Josh thanked them all for helping. Pops thought, a better afternoon they could not have had.

Pops called Luke and asked him to make a short 2- or 3-minute video of the homeless folks getting the coats with a few giving remarks.  Luke said, of course, he would. Pops told Josh he should call Father Rick and ask to show the video. Josh did.

He had his time after announcements.

His talk was short.

"Hi I'm not here asking for your help again. I just want to say, thank you for your extreme generosity and share a short video with you.”

The video showed the homeless folks -- One was jumping around and singing "I ain't gonna be cold no more no more" -- another said "I used to go to the subway station to get warm. The police would always kick me out; they could tell I was homeless. Now with my new coat, I look like I belong. One woman said she applied for work and got the job because she looked more respectable. The final scene showed all the folks (over a hundred) on the steps on the shelter, all smiling and shouting THANK YOU ST FRANCIS!!

Josh said "My Pops said I should show you the video because too often people contribute to a good cause, but never see how their contribution has helped others. The shelter folks thank you, and I thank you, and I especially want to thank Derrick and Matt and Paul and Shorty for helping so much with the coats. You are all good caring people and I hope you all feel the love you deserve."

Josh turned to exit the podium. Again, the congregation gave him a standing ovation. He turned to Pops. Pops smiled and said "You did good son, we are all proud of you; especially your Mom and Dad and Grandma looking down. Don't forget this, build on it."

To be continued...

Posted: 11/12/2021