Living Rough Read Online Free PDF Page A

I found myself blabbing my life story to her.
    As we left the pier and walked toward the big white rock the city is named for, I said, “You know earlier today? I didn’t mean to get all strange about my address. You see, the truth is, I don’t have an address. No address. No phone number. I actually live in a tent. With my dad. In the trees. We’re in a small patch of forest between a shopping plaza and the street. Can you believe that?”
    I chanced a look her way. Her eyes were on a couple sitting on the bench to the side of us. They were kissing. I figured it was safe to continue. Inna wasn’t really paying attention, and I don’t think she caught all of what I was saying. I must have needed to tell my story even if Inna didn’t understand all of the words.
    â€œThe problem is,” I said, speaking quickly, “the city has decided to build more townhouses. Like we don’t have enough already. So I’m worried they’re going to spot us. I don’t know what to do. I could maybe live with Ben…for a while, but then what about my dad?”
    â€œDad?” That got Inna’s attention. “You have mom and dad, no?”
    â€œI…I have a dad, yeah. But, my mom…died…last spring. Cancer.” I didn’t know if that word translated, but she seemed to understand.
    â€œCancer and my grandma. She dead. Two months.”
    â€œYou just lost your grandma? That’s really sad,” I said. “I still cry sometimes when I think of my mom. Mostly I miss her laugh. And the way she made me feel better when things were crappy. You know how moms do that?”
    Inna didn’t respond. Instead she said, “I have mom and dad and tree brudders. You have brudders or seesters?”
    I used to be so happy I was an only child. I got all of my parents’ attention and never had to share anything. Now I wished I had a sibling to help me out, or at least, to keep me company. Doing this solo was really tough. “Just me,” I answered, leading us back toward the main strip.
    I bought Inna a coffee at a shop on the corner. I felt lighter after talking about the stuff that was stressing me out. As the temperature dropped and rain began to fall, I thought we’d better head home.
    Inna drank her coffee while we waited for the bus. After a few sips, she shared the cup with me. Wind ripped through our jackets, and Inna shivered. To help keep her warm, I draped my coat around her shoulders. Black clouds filled the sky.
    As the bus drove up the hill toward the school, tennis balls of hail bounced off the roof.

Chapter Ten
    I said goodbye to Inna at the bus stop, then raced down the hill. Panic pushed my body into overdrive. Hail dropped into the space between my jacket and my neck, sending an icy chill down my spine. Even before I reached our site, I could see the damage.
    The wind had knocked down several small trees, and now the orange and blue tarps covering our tent could be seen from the street. A plastic bag flew past me like tumbleweed. If we didn’t secure the tarps, they’d be next. My dad was running around the campsite tying things down and putting loose items under cover. We didn’t have much, so we couldn’t afford to lose anything to a storm.
    â€œThis came up fast,” my dad hollered as I approached. “Grab my bike, will you, son?”
    â€œSure, Dad.” I pushed the bicycle toward my father. He rolled it inside our tent. Hail covered the ground like Styrofoam. A squirrel raced up the tree beside me, looking for shelter.
    â€œWhat are we going to do, Dad? This is the worst storm I’ve ever seen. Look at the trees falling. There’s no way we can hide our site now.”
    â€œWe’ll get through tonight and consider our options in the morning. Once we have everything tied down, we can head to the coffee shop and have…”
    â€œWhat?” My dad’s voice was lost to the wind. He