You and I Aren't so Different

Sam and Ben stick their thumbs up. They’re not happy about anything, only tired. It’s been a long couple of months on the road. They stand on the highway’s shoulder, burdened with all their possessions stuffed into backpacks. They wait for a driver. They have no money.

“Six hours,” says Ben, breaking their heat-stroked silence. “It’s been six hours. We could have spent that time working, Sam. We’re getting nowhere with our lives.”

“How could we be working? There’s nowhere ‘round here hiring,” said Sam.

“I swear they want our generation to fail. I swear man. Nobody cares about us.”

“We’re headed west. There’ll be opportunities there. We just gotta wait. Soon enough someone will stop. Someone always does.”

And soon enough someone did stop. The two boys overlooked it at first, never expecting to be picked up by someone driving a Tesla. It stopped just ahead. Only as it began to reverse did the boys take notice. A loud, artificial drone took over as it backed up; a staple of electric vehicles. The driver rolled the passenger window down.

“Hey there,” he said. “Where you two headed?”

“West,” said Sam. “As far as you’ll take us.”

The two boys threw their packs in the trunk, then hopped in. Sam rode shotgun; Ben took the back. The man merged back onto the freeway by flooring it. The Tesla zoomed up to speed, pressing Sam and Ben’s heads against the headrest as a result of the immense G-force.

* * *

“What brings you two on your travels?” asked the driver. His name was Bradley.

“We’re looking for jobs. There’s no life left for us in the interior,” said Sam.

“You’ve seen the wildfires out there?” asked Ben

“Sure have,” said Bradley. “That’s why I keep multiple homes. I’m from the interior, but got a house on Cultus Lake, as well as further up in Vancouver.” He chuckled, then sped up in his Tesla.

“Cultus Lake?” asked Ben. “Where’s that?”

“Just out of Chilliwack.” He thought for a minute. Then a grin on his face. “You know, come to think of it. It’s actually perfect for you. Besides, it’s at a fork in the road to where I’m headed. I can drop you off near there.”

“What’s so great about Cultus Lake?” asked Sam.

“It’s a town, for one. It’s on a beautiful lake. That is, Cultus Lake. I love taking my boat ‘round there.” Bradley paused. He seemed to be reminiscing of fantastic memories the boys would never have. Then came the lies. “But most of all, is the community. I’m sure you’d have no issue finding someone to take you under their wing. Perhaps give you a job. Places there are understaffed, you know.” Bradley held back smiles as he thought of these two boys' stupidity; their lack of success in the world.

Sam and Ben sat with this. Neither of them had ever heard of the place, and so they struggled taking this man for his word. Either way, it didn’t matter. Bradley settled it for them.

“It’s the last town on the way to where I’m headed. I’ll drop you at the intersection.”

The boy’s gratitude for the ride left them thankful above all.

“That would be great,” said Sam.

“Thank you so much for your help,” said Ben.

“Anytime,” Bradley said. “I see two young men on the side of the road, I’ve got room in the car. How could I not help? You know what I mean? I know you two would do the same if you were in my position.”

* * *

And so the long drive continued. Chatter triumphed music, and the two boys got to know Bradley, at least on a surface level. A family man; loads of money. That was about it. Nonetheless, he was giving them a ride, and so the boys were grateful. Then, after a few hours, they arrived at the intersection.

It was a green light as they drove down the road. Only, as they got nearer, it changed to yellow. Never a solid state, it soon became red.

“This is a long light,” said Bradley. “Best to get out here. Sorry to rush you, but I’ve got to get going. It’s work related.”

The boys got out, grabbed their things from the trunk. Then said goodbye through the passenger window.

“Take a left here, and follow the road. Soon enough you’ll reach the lake.” Bradley took a right turn, exiting the intersection and leaving the boys on their own.

They crossed the street. The main road remained stopped by the red light. They were no longer to continue on this path. The light seemed to say it all. And so they set off for the lake.

* * *

Two hours passed, and then it was dark, and they were still walking. They had gone up a great hill, then down into the valley. Now, on a straight road, they saw a light. It was the green light of an intersection. Flashing green, meaning it was pedestrian activated. It beckoned them to go, but it left them with a feeling of hopelessness. It was desolate, and so the light would continue flashing green until someone needed to cross the other way. Perhaps all night, perhaps even through the morning.

Sam and Ben walked into the town, not a soul in sight. It was too late. They passed houses leading up to the lake. Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Tesla, Audi, and the sorts were the cars they saw parked in the driveway. They continued in hopeful silence. Soon, it was just the silence that remained.

“Bradley lied to us,” said Ben, matter-of-factly.

“Bullshit,” snapped Sam. “It’s the middle of the night. What do you expect? A whole town of people ready for us?”

“Look at this place,” said Ben. “It’s a rich tourist town. I bet all these houses are empty in the wintertime.”

Sam looked down. He began to accept the truth. “Listen man, let’s just find somewhere to sleep. We’ll figure things out tomorrow.”

Ben couldn’t argue. After all, this was what they were used to after several months on the road.

Passing all the houses, they finally came upon the lake itself. It was beautiful, surely a fine place to spend summer days. There were about a dozen docks stretching out from the houses. This was where they settled on sleeping: the end of one of the docks.

The two carried their packs down the docks. They pulled out their sleeping bags and sleeping mats and got ready to go to sleep.

“Maybe it’s not so bad here,” said Ben.

“I’m thinking the same thing,” said Sam.

Then the two dozed off. Sleep came faster than usual, for the lake created a calming aurora around the two boys. Then morning came.

* * *

“Wake the fuck up you two,” came a voice from above. It was a resident of Cultus Lake. A grown man. His name was Harry. It was seven in the morning. He towered over the two, waiting for them to come to their senses before delivering his next surprise.

“I just called the RCMP,” he said. “You’re breaking a bylaw, sleeping on these docks. And we don’t welcome homeless folk in our town.” Surely it was just a threat if he bothered to wake them up. Still, Sam and Ben didn’t want to find out. They weren’t looking for trouble, only work. Only somewhere to live.

“I’m sorry,” said Sam. “We didn’t know there was a bylaw. We’ll leave right away.”

Angry Harry grunted, then stormed off to his brand new Jeep Wrangler. It was a three minute walk to his house, but he preferred to drive. He also owned a boat; he’d have told you that if you met him.

“Fuck this place,” said Ben.

“No shit,” said Sam.

They were wide awake, and they packed up with haste. Soon they were leaving the dock, and they noticed dozens of eyes watching them. Residents stared from their balconies. The adults looked concerned and the kids looked scared.

“I’ve just gotta use the washroom,” Sam told Ben.

“Good call,” agreed Ben. The two could use a wash up before heading back out into the world.

They took a solid five minutes, keeping it quick but managing to clean themselves up. They exited the bathroom, then were greeted by Angry Harry. He had been watching them, along with the rest of the town. This time, he was even more angry.

“What the fuck did I say about leaving this town?” he screamed. Then he did something which alarmed everyone in the town except the two boys. He pulled out a gun. A 9mm Smith and Wesson.

Sam and Ben just stood there, staring at the man.

“LEAVE!” he yelled, in all-caps.

Sam watched as Ben walked up to the man. “Shoot me then,” said Ben. “If you really want to, shoot me!”

He stood directly in front of him, pressing his head into the barrel of the gun. Angry Harry trembled; he didn’t know what to do. It was just a fear tactic. He wasn’t about to kill two kids.

“Some town this is,” said Ben, stepping down from the gun.

The whole town was listening. Then Sam spoke up. "You know, you and I, we really aren't that different. Just that you have a house here, don't welcome strangers, and are pointing a gun in our faces.

“I hope your kids don’t end up like you," says Ben. "It’d make me real sad.”

They turned their backs to Angry Harry, who stood pathetically with his loaded Smith and Wesson. Then they left the town. The first intersection just outside remained a flashing green.

* * *

It was again almost two hours later when they approached the main intersection where they had been dropped off the previous day. They looked in the direction of the west. Forward, toward a new future. This time, the light shined green. A steady green. The road was ready for them.

And so, they set out, ready for the next challenge life would throw at them. Only this time, they knew the power was in their own hands.