Hungry

I woke to once again to my wife not being home. I have for children who I'm sure are going to be hungry this morning. I'm also sure that we don't have any food in this house. I can't not get them anything, I mean they've barely eaten all week. There's no school today either so I can't count on that meal.

"Hey Jen wake up."

"What is it?"

"Your mom isn't home. I need you to keep an eye on the kids while I go get y'all something to eat."

I've been standing outside of this market begging for change for over an hour now. All I've gotten is 2 measly dollars. That woman looks nice maybe I'll ask her.

"Excuse me miss do you have any change you can spare?"

"You better get out of my face crackhead!"

Oh my god. Is that what it is? They think that I'm a crackhead. I'm sincerely out here begging to feed my children and these people think that I'm on drugs. It's that how I look though? Do I look like someone that's out here trying to get his next fix? Should I go home and change my clothes maybe brush my hair? I don't know. Then I might look too clean.

It would be soon much easier if the kids were out here with me. People for sure would give me money then. I just feel like I'd be exploiting them. Even though it's real it just doesn't feel right to do. No I will not do that to my children. Besides how would they feel knowing their father is out here begging for money to feed them?

Nope I just have to keep asking. Maybe if I can just get 10 dollars ill be able to get something and go home.

Man in not asking that guy. He seems like he's in a rush. He also looks like he's already irritated. Besides that he doesn't look like the friend care giving type.

Wait a minute. Listen to me. I was worried about people thinking I was an addict busy based off of my looks and here I am judging this guy. He's already in the market now but maybe I missed my chance to ask him. Oh well on to the next one.

" Excuse me sir but do you think you may be able to spare some change when you come out?"

"Man get a job homie!"

I have a job you hateful son of a, you knew what I can't be like that. I can't expect people to just hand over their hard earned money like that.

"Good morning young lady. So you think you could help a brother out with some change this morning?"

"Here you go. Sorry that's all the change that I have."

Fifteen cents! That's all the change you has was fifteen goddamn cents! I know I'm supposed to be grateful but damn!

"Here you go good brother. Have a good day."

Wait, that's the guy that I refused to ask earlier. Wow he gave me three whole dollars after I judged him as unfriendly. Who gives someone three dollars? I have to ask him why he did that.

"Thank you but why did you give me three dollars?"

"Listen, I can take it back if you want."

"No I'm grateful. Just wanted to know what made you give it to me?"

"You're out begging aren't you?"

"Yeah but I didn't ask you."

"Why, because you thought I was mean didn't you. See you can't be thinking like that. You almost missed this three dollars. Luckily I already knew why you didn't ask me."

"Well thank you so much man. I really do appreciate it."

I want to hug this man. I know that a little much bit three dollars is unheard of in my situation. I've done this quite a few times over the years abd I've never gotten three dollars all at once. I'm not going to hug him though. I've taken this man's money and enough if his time already.

"Aye man what's up with you?"

"What do you mean? Like am I in drugs or something?"

"Naw I don't care about that?"

"Then why would you give me three dollars?"

"Listen once I put the money in your hands it's yours. It ain't none of my business what you do with it. Three dollars ain't even enough for you to get any drugs. That's why I was asking what's up with because you seem so happy over three little ass dollars."

"You just don't understand what this means to me."

"That's why I'm asking you."

"No, I've already taken up enough of your time."

"It's cool I got time."

Do I really want to tell this stranger me business? Does he need to know that my wife doesn't have concern for my children and I? Does he really need to know that I'm out here because I can't afford to feed my own children? I don't want to tell this man that. Then again he may have a right to know. He's paid for it in a way. He's given me money and has taken time out of his day to talk to me. He also for whatever reason seems genuinely concerned. So what the hell, I'll just tell him the story.

"Ok so I have for kids at home and my wife isn't home. We don't have act for in the house and I'm just out here trying to get my kids something to eat."

"So why didn't you just say that?"

"I didn't want people to think that I was exploiting my kids. I didn't want them to think I was lying to get drug money."

"Well they're going to think that no matter what you say. At least that's better than saying hey can you help a brother out. Not come on let's go."

"Go where?"

Is this guy an undercover cop or something? Am I being arrested for leaving my kids alone in the house. I'm not sure what's going on right now.

"Where gonna go in the market and get these kids some food."

"Wait so you believe me?"

"Yo for someone out here begging you talk too much. You almost messed up the three dollars and now here you go asking more questions. I believe you because you didn't volunteer that information, you only told me because I asked. I figured if you were gonna lie you would've lied from the beginning. Now come on let's go get some food for them kids."

I don't know what to get. Should I ask him how much is the budget? No, he already told me I was asking too many questions. I'm just going to try to keep it under ten dollars. I'm going to just grab a couple packs of noodles and some cereal and get out of here.

"Ayye, what are you doing? Don't grab no packs. Just get the whole case. You gotta go get some milk too right? They can't eat cereal without milk."

Ok he doesn't really seem to be concerned with how much I spend. I'm going to throw a few boxes of these Mac and cheeses in the cart too and see what happens.

"Yeah that's a good idea my kids like that shit too."

On that worked out. Now just get the milk and go home. You know what I'm a little hungry myself. Maybe he'll let me get some food for me? Should I just throw it in the cart and see what happens? No, I'm not even going to change it. I mean the Mac and cheese at least looked like it was for kids. I don't want him to feel like I'm trying to trick him or take advantage of his kindness. Doesn't hurt to ask him though.

"Hey man I know I said it was for the kids but do you mind if I grab a pack of these chicken legs for myself?"

"Get the chicken bro and let's go."

What's this? I didn't pick up any chips, where did these cakes come from and this juice? I guess he must've forgot a few things. Oh well, I really can't thank him enough. I can't wait to get home to my kids.

"Can I get two bags too please?"

"I think we need three bags."

"Whoa calm down. You can't fit this stuff in two bags?"

"What about your stuff?"

"Dude my stuff is in my car. Everything here is for you and your kids."

"Even the cakes, chips and juices?"

"What I can't buy them no snacks?"

"Oh my god thank you so much."

"Don't worry about it. I'm not driving you home though that's for sure."

"Here take your three dollars back then."

"Naw you need that for your drugs. Ha ha ha, have a good day bro."