SECRETS
SECRETS
(This is the third in a new series. Better to read #1 GOOSE EGGS and #2 BIG MIKE AND LITTLE MICKEY before you read this story)
She was a lovely lady that smiled as she watched her two pre-teen children play in the cloudless sunlit park, but even from a distance, Roy detected sadness in her eyes.
“Mind if I sit for a spell and rest my weary bones?” Roy asked the mother. When she looked at him, he could tell she was a natural beauty, wearing no makeup.
“Not at all,” she said in a soothing tone and he sat down on the bench.
“God has blessed us with another beautiful day. Name’s Roy.”
“I’m Dina,” she said. “It’s sure nice weather we’re having.” She directed her attention back to watching her son and daughter jump ropes on the other side of the path.
“Forgive an old man, but with a splendid day and such beautiful happy children, I get the notion there’s something troubling you,” Roy said, scooting further away from her to appear less threatening.
“You seem like a nice man, Roy, but I’d rather not spoil the children’s outing.”
She looked away from Roy and lowered her chin to her chest for a few moments.
“I miss my husband,” Dina said. “He’s a Major in the National Guard and they shipped him to Afghanistan two days ago.”
“Got to be tough on the children,” Roy said, shaking his head, “what with their Daddy being away from home.”
“Yes. It is. But being only 5 and 7, they’re really not aware of the danger he faces over there, and that’s the way we want to keep it,” she said sadly. “I worry and worry some more but I try not to show it for their sakes.” She gazed at her kids and flashed a broad smile.
“We have a generous and merciful God and I’ll pray that He watches over your husband while he’s serving his country and especially that he strengthens your faith to trust in Him,” Roy said.
“I appreciate that very much.”
“God can ease your burdens if you let him and He’s more than happy to hear from you anytime. As the popular phrase goes, we have a 24/7 God,” Roy said warmly.
“I’ll be talking to him a lot,” Dina said. “Rest assured of that.”
“Can you bring your husband by the park when he comes home?” Roy asked. “It would be my honor to meet him.”
“I will.”
The children raced across the path to their mother, casting wary glances at Roy.
As if on cue, Ernie chose that moment to land on Roy’s left shoulder. The sudden arrival of the pigeon startled the little girl, who moved behind her brother.
“This is Ernie and he won’t hurt you,” Roy said, rubbing the bird’s head with two fingers.
“I never saw such a thing,” Dina exclaimed.
“Ernie’s got a bad foot and I’ve got a bad back and we’ve kind of taken to each other. Does either of you kids want to feed my little friend?”
With that said, Roy produced a small package of two saltines from his pants pocket.
“I will,” the little boy said, stepping over to Roy. The girl sidled closer to her mother but watched with fascination.
Roy broke a cracker in half and placed it in the boy’s outstretched hand.
“Now, close your hand and squeeze to crumble the cracker,” said Roy.
The boy did, and opened it to reveal the fragments. Ernie swooped gracefully and landed on the boy’s arm and then immediately began pecking at the tasty morsels.
“He’s eating and not hurting me at all,” the boy said with a euphoric grin.
When the last crumb was devoured, Ernie flew back to Roy.
“That was truly amazing,” said Dina and her little girl clapped merrily.
“Ernie’s smart,” said Roy. “He knows I have more where that came from and he’ll stick with me pretty much all day.”
“We should be going,” Dina said as she rose. “I want to thank you for your kindness and encouragement and Ernie for the entertainment.”
Roy spoke to as many people as he could the rest of the day, as he did every day, and assured those that wouldn’t speak to him that he would be nearby when they needed him.
When Ernie had indulged in the last of the crackers, Roy obtained a human companion when he shepherded a homeless 14-year-old boy, suffering from cocaine withdrawal, from the park to a homeless shelter for the night. He found two adjacent cots and sat on his while the boy collapsed onto his own.
Quivering and crying, the boy needed a friend, and Roy was jubilant to assume that role.
Roy’s internal alarm clock woke him around five and he was elated to notice the boy sleeping peacefully on his cot.
He would return later.
It was a short walk in the brisk morning air to his first destination, and when he arrived, there was already a small group lined up at the front entrance of the modest building that housed GRATIS HEALTHCARE.
There was a rumor circulating that an old homeless man had purchased a single Lotto ticket one day and had won a $4 million cash payout. The rumor was that the man took every penny of his winnings and founded and supported GRATIS, a free clinic for anyone that couldn’t afford medical attention otherwise.
The rumor mill stated that while a small portion of the medical and clerical staff actually received salaries, most worked pro bono, donating their time and efforts.
There was no pharmacy and no drugs were stored or dispensed from within the building, but if a prescription had to be written, there was a local drugstore that would provide the medication, free to the patient, and send GRATIS the bill.
The rumors further implied that the benefactor hadn’t kept a single dime of the jackpot for himself, and remained homeless to this day.
They weren’t really rumors, he knew.
Elroy “My friends call me Roy” Parker stepped past the crowd and around to the rear of the structure. He plucked his only key from his shirt pocket, unlocked the back door, and went inside unnoticed.
I like the unpredictable in your stories.
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