Tommy the "Homeless boy" (A Classical Tale you should not miss)

I wish to take you on a journey where planes, ships and cars cannot carry you, a journey straight to my imagination .A tale like no other a classical put together by Ladyfiddler on Hub pages. Believe me when you start reading finishing would be the last thing on your mind.

This story is based on a homeless boy name Timmy whom I once met.

It was September 3rd 1965 that I first met him....... oh well let me go back a bit with my life back then and then we'd get right down to "Tim"

As I type my mind goes way back I can still smell the coffee that use to emanate from Malay’s cafe on # 30 Wicker Street, Hudson Boulevard. You know the coffee that you'd taste by just smelling, well that's the type am talking about... the fresh morning breeze still sends chills up my spine, the fragrance of those lovely flowers. In Mr. Bookie’s garden oh I loved the scent of those daffodils and pink roses.

Every morning I would get up say my prayer, do the usual and head out to the veranda to read my news paper and gazed up at the lovely blue sky. Sometimes I would lose myself in those white fluffy clouds thinking of this that and the other. I'd come back to earth when I heard someone yelled out my name while passing by, good morning Mrs. Walters I'd look to see who called me and answer back good morning darling, or doo doo something nice to send them off.

Around 3:00pm at evening times I would go for a walk in the park to get some exercise for my old bones, you know at age sixty the old age symptoms starts to rush in with speed and momentum. Anyway while walking one evening I noticed a boy huddle up by one of the oak trees looking dirty, grimy and ragged he was trembling like crazy. I guess he was super cold especially with those little tattered clothes he wore…. and of course it was our rainy season. I gazed at him for awhile and then continued about my business, but for some reason my curiosity kept pecking at me to inquire more of who might have left that poor child to suffer in such a manner.

After I finished walking as soon as I got in the house I picked up the receiver and dialed my friend Viola. She answered the telephone on the other end and I said hey how you doing? She said am fine thank you. I said did you notice a strange boy down at the park anytime? She said no I haven't been down Wicker Street in about a decade. I laughed at her funny joke and I told her about this boy I saw looking so battered and dirty maybe someone dropped him off. Viola said well let’s not pry to much if anything gets out of hand we'll call the cops I said okay then, take care and I hung up. Viola sounded not so caring after all. Am sure any right thinking human would want to know why this child was on the streets.

So I went to bed that night still curious of who might have left this pitiable child there and where he came from. I wasn't the social type like Viola not to pry I mean I'd be cautious enough but I said to myself the next day I would go down to the park, to see if I could get him to talk.. I left home earlier that usual the next day for my evening walk eager to get my curiosity filled but when I got there I don't know if it was fear, pride or what but something kept me from going up to the lad and asking him what's the matter sonny. I saw children passing and heckling him and he would just ignore them. Adults would pass and watch him like mess and continue on their way. I’d be honest he really did look like a horrid mess you know like dirty Jim. I looked at him and said my oh my poor thing. I wonder if he knows he needs bath and a trim.

It took me a few weeks before I build up enough courage to walk right up to him and said good afternoon is there anything I can do for you? He took awhile before raising his head, because he had grown so accustom to humiliation and insults. He managed a meager smile and said I'd be happy if you can bring me something to eat I’m STARVED. I said sure that won't be a problem I'd be back in a jiffy. I headed home, as I opened the door I went into the kitchen open the fridge took out three apples, a mango and two bottles of milk. Then I opened the cupboard got a container out, and put some food in. On my way out I ran back inside to grab him some of my most scrumptious mouth watering chocolate chip cookies.

As I approached the park I saw him turned in my direction and his face lighted up happy to see me and I guess the bag in my hand. I walked right over and sat beside him forgetting every inch of what people might think or say. I opened the bag and gave the food and a bottle of milk to him; he said thank you miss and hurriedly gobbled down the food. I look away not wanting him to feel embarrassed. After a little while I turned to him and said what is your name? My name is Timmy but you can call me Tim. I said okay and you can call me Mrs. Walters I stretched my hand out to him and said it’s a pleasure to meet you.

Would it be okay if I ask you how you ended up on the streets? He said oh my mum died when I was seven years old in a tragic fire and my dad and I escaped it. He started to cry and I patted his back and said don’t you cry now Timmy it has already happened there’s nothing you can do about it now. Timmy looked at me with tears streaming down his face, my dad and I moved into a little one room house just around the corner from where we use to live. After three years my dad said that he was tired of struggling to see about two persons and it is time for him to see about his self. So he dropped me off in some town that I’ve never been and told me son am sorry to do this but times are too hard, don’t you worry, you won’t stay small forever someday you’d be a man.

I saw my dad drove off in an old Bedford van he had I screamed and ran after him shouting daddy! Daddy! Don’t you leave me. Before I knew it he sped off and away he went and I had no choice but to stop. That’s how I ended up here on Wicker Street. Oh my goodness what a pitiful story and a horrible man how could he leave a ten year old on the street without looking back. I said Timmy do you think he would come back for you? No I doubt it my dad is wicked and mean he drinks a lot too.

I handed the fruits, cookies and other bottle of milk to him and told him I must go now. I hope you feel much better have no fear I would come to see you again tomorrow God spare. We said goodbye to each other I took one last look at him smiled and waved.

After that day Timmy and I became great friends. I use to cook for him, I bought him some clothes and a big blanket so that he could feel warm at nights. My house did not have room because there were other occupants in it my husband and three children. I told my husband about Timmy and he said I am sorry we couldn’t keep him but we can pray. God can do something!

The next day when I went to see Timmy I said I really wish I could let you stay at my house. He said that’s okay Mrs. Walters I understand you do enough for me already thanks. We chatted for a little while, he ate what I had brought him when I was leaving, I said Timmy promise me that you will say these three words every day “LORD HELP ME” yes I would. You know you don’t have a warm place to lay your head but know for sure that you’ll be forever in my warm heart. This time he laughed out loudly good one I like it. He waved goodbye to me and I waved back. I felt even better about meeting Timmy today.

Shortly after that I got sick for like a month straight I was unable to come out the house. It grieved me sore because I kept thinking about how Timmy would make out with no food, maybe he might think I neglected him. Sigh heavily! Everyone else was so busy and not as caring as I was to make it a duty of theirs to help that poor soul.

As soon as I re- cooperated I packed a basket full of food and fruits and headed for the park to my astonishment there was no Timmy. I got enough strength to run up and down the park looking in every tree and under every bench. I did not see him I stroll back to my house most worried. I went back to the park every day of that week and Timmy really had gone without us even saying a real GOOD BYE to each other. Had it not been for me getting that stupid flu, I would have known his ware about.

Fifteen years passed and I never set eyes on that Lad again. I taught about him every once in a while and I said well LORD I guess he’s better off than where I left him, at least I hoped so. I was seventy five years now more old and more pains and aches I didn’t get out as much. I still did my morning routine smelling the flowers etc.

It was on September 3^rd of 1980 I was on my rocking chair in the Veranda when I saw a young man walking up the path to my house. I raised my eye brows then squinted my eyes to see if I made out the person. For nothing I couldn’t fathom just who it was. I called out to my daughter Hannah! Yes mama, please bring me my glasses, okay then mama. By the time she got there the young man was up on the steps. He took off his hat and tipped it at me and said good morning Mrs. Walters. I smiled and beckoned him please sir come in have a seat and tell me who you are.

Don’t tell me you don’t remember me now! Absolutely I don’t, Hannah said mama but he sure knows who you are. I am Timmy, I got up off my chair staggering a bit put on my glasses Timmy is that you? You mean the boy I used to sit with at the park? Yes It is. Oh goodness gracious come here boy you made me worry sick about you. So I told him how I had gotten sick and couldn’t make it down to the park and when I did he was all gone. That’s okay I knew something must have been wrong for you not to show up.

You know those three words you told me to say the last time we spoke well I did keep my promise and a few weeks after. I saw a man looking like my dad and I got up and ran over to him. Yes it was my father crying he said Timmy I’ve been looking all over for you but was afraid to call the police. He told me he was sorry for leaving me that day and that he wanted to go into a rehab to stop drinking and he had no one to leave me with. So he did the best he could have. I was so excited to have him back I didn’t care what his reasons were although what he did to me was harsh. I got into the old Bedford van and he told me that we were moving to another country for a better life I was sad that I won’t see you again but happy to move on.

I have never stopped thinking about the kindness you showed me Mrs. Walters I said as soon as I got big and get some money I would come back to see you. Sorry it took me so long I was even afraid that I won’t see you again. Am happy he came back for you Timmy but gave all the thanks to the LORD for your prayer to Him is what delivered you.

Hannah offered him something to eat and drink he bought me a really beautiful necklace, a dress and a handbag to match. I said thank you! We laughed and catch up on those fifteen years after a few hours he got up to leave and promise he would return sometime again to see me. I told him don’t worry am grateful to know you are alive and in good health and spirit my heart will be warm again. Take care of yourself we chuckled and then he left

Something about September 3^rd is remarkable, the day I first met him and the day I last saw him..................

Written by: Joanna Chandler

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