Living Rough Read Online Free PDF Page B

The air that hit me as I opened the door felt twenty degrees colder than inside. The blue awning offered some cover, but it shook on its hinges with each gust of wind. I wasn’t sure the awning would hold, so I moved to where the sidewalk was exposed to the storm.
    A lady bundled in a scarf was coming toward the door. I’d never panhandled before, but tonight I had no choice. I mumbled, “Excuse me, ma’am. Could you spare some change?” Either she didn’t hear me or didn’t want to help. She brushed past me and entered the coffee shop.
    This was going to be tough!
    Moving to the side of the building got me out of my dad’s range of vision. He’d flip if he saw me asking for a handout. He always said we would earn our way, even if that meant collecting bottles or returning grocery carts. But there was no time for that right now. I had to find another way. Dad was counting on me.
    Another lady approached the door. Come on , I said to myself. You can do this . As she passed me, I forced my head up. “Sorry to bother you,” my breath was shallow as I talked. “Is there any chance you could help me out?” I turned my palms up and looked at the ground again.
    â€œYou poor child. It’s freezing out here,” she replied.
    â€œIf you have some spare…”
    â€œOf course, dear. You get inside now and warm up.” She dropped a couple of dollars into my open hand.
    Since that wasn’t enough, I didn’t follow her inside.
    Other than the howling wind, it was quiet. I rubbed my hands together to stay warm. My jacket offered little protection from the frigid cold. After what seemed like an eternity, a man and his wife left the fancy restaurant a few doors down. The wind caught his jacket, blowing it open to show his gray suit. As I approached them, I pushed my pride aside and worked the helpless-kid angle. I must have done it well, because he gave up a crisp five-dollar bill.
    Bingo!
    Now we could get some food.
    Back in the coffee shop, I ordered my dad soup and tea, and a muffin and coffee for myself. I figured I’d better hang on to the rest of the cash so I could stay awake all night. I was going to need a lot of caffeine!
    â€œOh, that tasted good,” said my dad, while I nibbled on my muffin. “I guess I worked up an appetite during the storm.” He slurped the last of his soup and wiped his unshaven chin with a napkin. Bits of the napkin stuck to the bristle.
    â€œAh, Dad.” I gestured to his chin. He wiped them away with the back of his hand.
    â€œAargh.” He grimaced.
    He’d used his sore arm. It looked swollen. I should have grabbed a scarf from our tent to make a sling for him. I looked through the stuff I had with me to see what I could use.
    â€œHere, Dad, take my jacket. We’ll use my sleeve to hold your arm up.” It took a few minutes, but I was able to turn my coat into a makeshift sling.
    â€œThat’s better,” my dad sighed. He leaned his head back against the wall and rested.
    I picked at my muffin and watched the people in the restaurant. There were lots of kids with their parents, picking up meals to take home for the evening.
    â€œSo, I did look around today for a place to stay,” Dad said after a while. “Good timing, hey? I tried the shelters again. No change there.”
    â€œWhat else is new?” I said.
    â€œI’d really hoped I could give you good news. I never meant to let you down…”
    â€œDad, it’s okay. Right now, let’s focus on you getting better.”
    â€œYeah. I guess. Listen, I rode out toward Langley, and I found us a spot where we won’t be noticed. There’s only one problem.”
    I couldn’t imagine anything worse than the situation we were in. Whatever my dad had planned had to be better than this.
    â€œWhat is it?” I asked.
    â€œWell, I don’t think you’ll like this part. But I don’t know