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While traveling down America??™s highway, one
afternoon, in my big rig, I decided to find a truck stop ~
to get a few hours of rest.
Usually I try to find a stop in the direction I am going.
But, for some reason, I chose one on the left. Then, I
pulled in and found a place to park.
Once setting my brakes, I decided to
read the newspaper ~ before going to sleep. As I was
beginning to read the first page, I looked up and noticed a
sort of hobo looking guy wandering over to my truck.
I thought, ???Oh, no ~ another bum.???
He was unshaven. His clothes were wrinkled and filthy and
it smelled like he had not taken a bath in months. He must
have used his pants as a pillow at night. That??™s how bad he
looked.
He was not carrying much luggage with him, just a bag full
of dirty clothes. I wondered how he made out on cold winter
nights. He came over to my truck and asked is he could
borrow (I should say 'bum'), money for a cup of coffee.
I asked him, "How long you been seeing this great country of
ours?"
He answered, "At first, it was a walk around the block.
Then, it was two blocks. Then, finally, I just kept walking
and never looked back."
Why he had left, he really did not know. But, he had left a
wife and son at home. He had been gone now for about five
years. So, his son should be about 17.
I just shook my head and gave him money for coffee.
He started walking away and, for some reason, I called him
back and gave him more money for food and a shower.
I said, "You may never know when a job opportunity might
come your way." Though, I doubt he would take it. He??™s
been free for too long.
He thanked me for the extra money and headed for the
restaurant.
Trying to figure out why I did what I did, I gave up and
shrugged my shoulders, smiled to myself, then started
reading the newspaper again.
Upon getting bored, reading the paper, I let my eyes wander
around the truck stop. Looking over, toward the road, I
noticed a young kid, about 17, getting out of a truck and
waving 'goodbye' to another driver.
I thought, "This kid should be in school, somewhere."
He was carrying a tan leather suitcase
that had many dents, more than I could count ... probably
from kicking, sitting on it, throwing it into and out of
trucks, using it as a pillow and chair.
The handle was made of two strands of rope. Another piece
of rope was tied around the suitcase, to keep it closed.
There was not much leather on the suitcase, as one could see
inside it.
His clothes were faded, with holes in the knees. His red
tennis shoes were flopping up and down, on his feet. His
hair was shoulder length and looked like a bird nest,
flying in all directions. He just brushed it back and let
it lie where it may.
He started looking around, as if he was looking for
someone. I opened my big mouth and called him over to me,
even before I realized what I had done. He reminded me of
another kid, many years ago. When I asked if he were lost,
he said, "Yes and no." I never knew a question could
have two answers.
He knew where he was. But, he was lost as to finding his
father. He shared that his mother has passed away, last
year, and he was left alone. So, he decided to set out to
find his dad.
Having asked him where he had been, he responded, "From
Maine to California, Washington to Florida."
He asked if he could bum (which was right) a cigarette. Of
course, I gave him one. Also giving him a few dollars, I
told him to get something to eat ~ it was on me. I hope I
can take this off on taxes for donations to charity.
An hour had passed. I was, still, on the first page when I
heard laughter and cheers coming from the restaurant. I
couldn't help but smile.
I looked up and the hobo was clean shaven. He came out of
the restaurant with his arms around the kid. The kid was
smiling, tears in his eyes, and they, both, walked over to
my truck.
The hobo said, "Mister, this is my
kid. He told me how he was looking for me since his
mother??™s death."
They both said their thanks and wondered how to repay me for
the things I had done for them. I responded that fate had a
lot to do with it. But, miracles happen all the time.
They said, "Goodbye." I waved and wished them all the luck.
Before leaving the truck stop, I looked at the front page of
the newspaper, again. In bold letters, it read, "Boy
17, Looking for Father." I smiled to myself and
said that 'miracles do happen'.
I started up my rig, turned on the headlights, and headed
down America??™s Lonely Highways.
?© 1992 by Robert H. Gilbert, Jr.
RGBLUEBOY@aol.com
http://www.geocities.com/rgblueboy/StoryPoetryPage.html
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Blessings to you today
Bob Johnston |
