Serendipity

Chapter 9. Change of Heart

I stood there in awe. I was going on a date with Levi Samuels. 

*          *          *          *

  

At the local diner, I ordered a plate of pancakes and a drink and found a seat near the window. I watched as people walked into the diner and conversed with each other. It was nice to see how humans interacted with each other. 

“There you are!” 

My eyes lifted up and I saw Melanie heading my way. Her bronze skin glowed like usual. On a dull day like today, she brightened the day. She took a seat across from me and flashed me a friendly smile. “I didn’t expect to see you here! I wanted us to hang out but then I realized you never really gave me your number to contact you.” 

I wasn't going to give her my number. “Sorry.” 

“No, no. You’re fine. I thought that I’d see Joe here today, I guess that was sort of dumb.” Melanie bit down on her bottom lip before bringing her eyes up to mine. “How was your day?” 

“I’m going on a date with Levi,” I blurted out.

Melanie’s eyes almost bulged out of her sockets. “You’re kidding!" 

“I really wish I was.” 

“Just because you guys aren’t together, doesn’t mean he’s a bad guy.” she pointed out, “Actually, seeing as he isn’t your boyfriend, means he’s definitely not a bad guy.” 

I crinkled my nose. “What are you trying to play at, Melanie?” 

She giggled, “I’m just joking with you, Dame.” Melanie reached over the table and poked my shoulder. 

“You’re the one who said he was a bad guy.” 

“I did,” she agreed, “but have you seen Joe and I? I really have no place to talk about relationships.” 

I stuck my fork into my pancake and watched Melanie carefully. “Everything is going to be okay in the end,” I told her, “and if it’s not okay now, then it’s not the end.” 

She flickered her chocolate orbs up to mine and smiled. “I like that.” 

“That’s what my mom used to tell me.” 

“What happened to her?” 

I was stunned by the question. I wasn’t supposed to talk about my mom. How could I have let that slip? “My mom and dad are divorced.” 

She eyed me skeptically. "What’s a grown man like you doing living with your dad, anyway?” 

I shrugged. “I guess I’m not ready to leave yet.” 

“Are you going to eat your pancakes?” she questioned, glancing down at the plate in front of me. 

I looked down at my plate and noticed that I hadn’t touched it. “You know what,” I said, “I’m not hungry anymore.” 

“Damien." 

“I’ll see you around, Melanie.” I stood from my seat and placed a ten dollar bill on the table before I dashed for the exit. Something was definitely wrong with me. I was letting out things that weren’t supposed to come out. I was slacking. 

I stalked down the sidewalk and as I turned the corner, I stumbled into someone who was sitting on the ground. “Sorry,” I apologized quickly as I glanced down at the person. He was recognizable but I couldn’t figure out from where. 

He had a forming gray beard and was dressed in a large coat as he held up a cardboard sign in his hands. He was a beggar. A homeless beggar. 

“Help a guy out man," he said to me, holding up the sign higher. 

“Phil,” I said, “you’re Phil from that tuxedo shop. You sold me the two suits?” 

His eyes lightened. “I remember you boy, it’s so nice to see you again.” 

“What are you doing out on the streets?” I asked him out of genuine curiosity. “They shut down your store without giving you anything to get you on your feet?” 

“I refused to take their money.” he told me. “The reason why I’m out on the streets is because my wife kicked me out. She said that I wasn’t worthy enough.” 

I frowned. What I was about to say next was something that I should have thought through first. I knew how much consequences I would get in for this but I didn’t care. This man needed help and I was willing to give it to him. I held out my hand to him. “Come with me.” 

He stared at me in bewilderment. “What?” 

“Come with me,” I repeated. “You don’t need to be out on the streets like this. I have a place where you can stay.” 

He shook his head in protest. “No, I can’t possibly do that.” 

“I insist.” I flashed him a friendly smile. “Let me do something nice for you.” 

Phil stared at me for a couple seconds before agreeing. He took my hand and rose to his feet. 

“You’re not going to be on the streets again.” I assured him, “Not as long as I’m alive.” 

~*~*~

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