The Keeper

Long Nights

Tommy

'The weather is shitty tonight', I thought as I pulled my jacket closer to my aching body. I shifted uncomfortably on my heels and rolled my neck to get the knot out.

I pushed the wet paper cup out and shook it around, "Spare some change?" I questioned loudly at the group of business men. I licked my chapped lips and looked up through the haze of rain. A hand, dropping a few cents in my cup and my eyes widen as it dropped a twenty dollar bill in there.

"Sir? I think you dropped this!" I stated as I retrieved the bill and stood up wincing. He shook his head and mumbled something about kindness and random acts. I swallowed my tears and pocketed the bill, hoping it'll be there when I visit a food place.

My stomach hurt as I thought about food but I pushed the thought away and shook my cup more. A few more cents and crumpled up one dollar bills floated in my cup until the clock hit 7 pm.

I scooted back into my shelter and dumped the contents of the cup on my cleanest shirt. I separated the cents and dollars. I counted 6 quarters, 5 nickels, 2 dimes, 8 pennies, and 4 crumpled up one dollar bills. I had enough for a meal. A real meal and not off the dollar menu. I pushed the remaining money in a jar after grabbing two quarters and stood up.

My stomach rumbled loudly as I pushed the door to go inside McDonalds. The air was toasty and made my joints loosen a bit. It felt nice inside and I pulled my hood off. Running into the mens bathroom I looked in the mirror.

A dirty face stared back at me, green eyes peeking through some serious lashes. My hair was matted down and dirty but I tried my best to look presentable at this establishment. I grabbed a paper towel and wet it, washing the muck off my face. I looked somewhat better. Still looked like I crawled from a sewer system but I'd take it.

Walking out I briefly checked my stash of money again, $4.50. Not counting my twenty dollar bill in my pocket.

"-you like?" I zoned in and looked at the lady behind the counter. "What would you like dear?", she asked again.

"A double cheeseburger, just ketchup. With fries and a coke. Oh! Sweet and sour sauce too please." I ordered and she rung it up, $4.40. I gave her the money and got back a dime. I breathed a sigh and stepped back to allow someone else to order.

"Order 46!" I jumped and walked over to the stand, grabbing my items and sitting down in a booth. I took my food out and started eating my double cheeseburger. It was heaven. The taste wasn't that of a five star cheif but it'll do just fine.

I looked up to see the same business men walking in, laughing loudly and ordering. I shifted uncomfortably, and finished off the rest of my meal. I had to finish my drink because there was no way I'd take it back to my slum of a place.

The business men were talking loudly, blocking the main enterence and exit. I looked around awkwardly until the old lady waved me over.

"Yes ma'am? Did I do something wrong?" I asked as I wrung my hands together.

"No deary, I just seen you around a bit, you never come in usually." She said as she took my hand and squeezed it. "Come in whenever you'd like dear. Always be welcome here." She smiled warmly at me and let my hand go.

In my hand was a one hundred dollar bill. "Ma'am I can't-" I was cut off suddenly, "Please, you can." She said and got back to work without any further action towards me. I slowly slipped the money in my pocket and made a mental note to thank her somehow later.

I quickly left the restaurant and made my way back to my shelter.

'Today was.. eventful', I thought as I stashed my money away and ruffled around on my worn out blankets. The sound of rain beating down on my shelter soothed me to sleep.