friendship
C.S Lewis got it right: friendship is born when one person says to another: "What! You too? I thought I was the only one!"
A Shadow's Passing
Alex leaned back against the park bench, sighing with despair as the sunlight faded from the sky. Quiet laughter met his ears; the park was quickly emptying in the wake of the oncoming night, and he watched as the last few people made their way to the exit.
By Christina J. Thompson5 years ago in Humans
Black Is A Lucky Color
He paced around the room for what must’ve felt like hours. Occasionally he would glance back at the small black pocketbook on the coffee table. Finally, he stopped pacing and stared at its contents once more. At that moment he decided that this was a sign, it had to be because how else could he have been this lucky.
By Paloma Gallardo5 years ago in Humans
Little Black Book
There is a saying when you do something for someone, never expect an award in return. I would never imagine the series of events that happen to me would change my life completely. It started a couple of years ago. I was getting lunch at my favorite sandwich shop. The line was long as usual because they had the best sandwiches in town in my opinion. I happened to look out the window and saw a homeless woman across the street. She was holding a sign begging for spare change so she could buy herself something to eat. Everyone was doing everything to avoid her. It was as if she did not even exist. I decided to get her a sandwich with bottled water. I cautiously approached her because I did not want her to be frightened of me. She did not realize I was there until I started speaking. Hi, my name is Tess. I saw your sign and wanted help. She stares at my outstretched hands with a sandwich of bottled water. I told her not to be afraid, just brought this from the sandwich shop across the street. She finally relaxed and took the food and said thank you and told me her name was Mary. She asked me if I would sit down next to her. Mary started to share with me about her life and how she had become homeless. A couple of years ago, she was married to a high school sweetheart for over 25 years. They both had high-paying jobs. Their life was good until she got sick and was no longer able to work. So, she and her husband went from a two-income family to one. Mary always spent so much time in the hospital. It caused stress in their relationship and ended in divorce. She stops caring about herself. What I see now is a broken woman just trying to make it through day by day. I told her there are shelters where she would have a clean bed, clothes, and food. She said I could not handle the fighting between the other ladies. And besides, she felt safer on the streets. I offered to put her in a hotel room where she would shower and sleep in a bed. She rejected it at first, telling me I have no money to pay you back. I told her she deserves to be happy again. And get her life back on track. After staying at the hotel, there was a change in Mary had started to embrace life. I would stop by from time to time to see how she was doing. My day started out like any other day is something I will never forget. I knocked on the door instead of seeing Mary. It was someone else in her room. I was thinking did she go back on the street. As I walked away in shock, trying to decide what to do, a housekeeper approached me and stated that her hotel manager wanted to speak to me right away. I had begun questioning her about Mary and why the hotel manager wanted to see me. She says I don't know and points me in the direction of where the manager's office is. I knocked on the door and he invited me in and offered me a chair. I wanted to know the reason for my being there. He finally cleared his throat and looked at me through his bifocals and said I don’t know how to tell you this but, your friend passed away in her sleep and she made me promise to give you a package. I was shocked I couldn’t believe it I started crying, he tried to comfort me, but I just pulled away. But, through my tears, I started to think at least she is no longer in pain. Once I calm down he hands me a brown bag with something inside. He said that they had become friends and she told him all about me and what I had done. And how grateful she was that I saw her when no one else did. I thanked him and left with the package. Once I got home I slowly unwrapped the brown package and inside it contained a little black book. I was curious what this could possibly be. I slowly opened it and inside was the little black book. There were handwritten notes from Mary expressing how lucky she was to have met me. That I was her angel and she wanted to give something to show how she appreciates my kindness. I turned the page and there was a check, folded in between the pages payable to me by Mary for 20,000. I kept saying this isn’t real she said that she was broke. I was excited and nervous at the same time. I never had a large sum of cash like that before. I waited for a copy of days before I went to my bank to deposit it. I waited to see a banker at his desk. I told him the reason for the visit and gave him the check along with identification. He verified that the check was real and it was deposited in my account. I walked out of the bank still in shock about Mary's generous gift to me. My simple act of kindness toward her was to return with a gift that would allow me to pay it forward to help others.
By Quentess Stanley5 years ago in Humans
Playing Life
While the wind whistled outside his run-down, house, Donny packed his last bag. He knew he would reach his breaking point eventually, he was just hoping he could last until adulthood. Donny lived with his parents, who abused drugs. As he got older, they moved to abusing him as well. This final argument, which was almost part of the daily routine in the Striker household, began with Donny not offering any money to his parents, knowing it would go towards drugs. The argument was put to an end when Roger Striker hit Donny so hard that the blood pooling in his mouth left him unable to speak without choking. Roger and Joanna continued yelling profanities while the floors received a fresh coat of red, thanks to Donny’s new injury.
By Elena Jaffe5 years ago in Humans
Uncle Tony
“Not all of us are so lucky” – Karina laughed while talking to her best friend about her grade on a Biology test. It was a regular day at Tulip Tree High School in Inglewood, CA. The sun burned white-hot overhead, it seemed like it was out to get everybody who was in its way. Karina rushed home after school because she promised her ma she would help with the salon. It felt like the bus took three times longer to arrive than usual, rush hour in California. Finally, the bus came, she got in and sat down. It was about a 30-minute drive from school to the salon Karina’s mom owned so she was happy to relax and rest after a long soccer practice. The next stop an older black man with an injured leg came in the bus, Karina cracked her eyes open a little and looked around to see that there were no seats left open. She would usually pretend to be sleeping but something told her to get up. “Please sit down, sir”, said Karina. “Thank you, young lady!” – he answered with such a soft voice. The rest of the trip was quiet but in Karina’s head there were millions of thoughts and conversations about her future, dreams, etc. Centinela, Hyde Park, 118th St… and it is time to get off on the next stop, Karina noticed that the elder gentleman was also getting off there. She decided to help him out to get where he needed to. Her ma would understand it, she always taught Karina to help those who is in need. “Would you like some help?” she asked. “Oh, thank you. What’s the name of a such special person?” he replied. Karina got a little confused, she had never heard anybody call her that. She quickly replied: “Karina… my name is Karina. What’s your name?” “Tony. You can call me Uncle Tony” – the man chuckled. Their conversation went on and on about all the books they have read, all the talks around the neighborhood. They basically connected on another level. “I hope you have a great rest of your evening!” said Uncle Tony. “Thanks, you too!” replied Karina. Then she ran to her ma’s salon, it was getting dark outside and the town was quiet. Mrs. Williams got mad at her daughter at first. Although after listening to her story, she told Karina that she was very proud of her. Mrs. Williams said that Mr. Tony Smith’s family left him after the accident and didn’t want to take care of him, so he was a very lonely man. Karina went to sleep that night thinking how she would hate to be old and lonely and she promised to herself to go and visit Uncle Tony as often as she could.
By Abi Garmyder5 years ago in Humans
The Journal
The most exciting thing is always the next thing. The next day, the next week, the next year. Anything, but now. Now, has no possibilities. Now, is already known. Later, on the other hand, is full of them. Anything can happen later, but nothing can ever happen now. How stupid I was. If given the option, I would trade all my miserable laters for just one now.
By Andrew Karl5 years ago in Humans
A Letter to a Dearest Friend
To my Dear Friend F.K. As I lay dying, I take part in the all too common pastime of dying men. Reflecting upon my life and my decisions. Deciphering which decisions led to a more fulfilling and prosperous life and which decisions I have grown to regret.
By Morgan Woolford5 years ago in Humans
