Homeless

HOMELESS

Nely Cab

Copyright 2012 by NelyCab

SmashwordsEdition

Deep in an abundant forest, near a lake helays. The soil is damp and loose. There’s a trail and a bridgewhere hikers and joggers pass him by without notice. He's still,there, quietly observing them. He wonders if they will ever takethe time to look his way.

     The leaves fall from the tree branches, as it is autumn now.The gold and cayenne forest smells like moss and wet dirt, from therains that have fallen the night before.

He sits, he waits, and he watches the people.They mind their own business while he continues to wonder if he isinvisible to them.

     He observes a family of four partaking in a picnic this coolfall afternoon. They too ignore his presence.

A slight smile forms on his lips, watchingthis family’s loving interaction. He is reminded of his own family– the one he once had.

      Asmall red ball rolls to his foot. He is surprised when a littlegirl approaches him.

      “Hi,” she saysto him.

      “Hello,” he replies and smiles

      “Why are you so sad?” The girl asks, tilting her head to theside.

      “I’m a bitlonely, I guess,” he replies.

      “Oh,” thetoddler rocks back and forth, from heel to toe. “I can be yourfriend, if you want?”

      “Thank you. Idon’t have any friends.” His small grey eyes reflect how touched heis with the child’s innocent gesture.

      “Play withme,” she giggles, throwing the ball in the air.

      He attempts tocatch it, but it falls into the frosty lake waters.

      The littlegirl frowns and places her small hands on her waist. “You weresupposed to catch it,” she’s reprimanding.

      He laughs ather endearing behavior. “I’m very sorry,” he stands and takes a fewsteps to the edge of the lake.

      She shrugs andsits on a patch of grass. “It’s okay,” she says, “I have anotherball at home.”

      “What’s yourname?” He asks her, lowering himself to the ground next toher.

      “Emily,” shesays, drawing in the dirt with a stick. Her curly brown hair gentlysways in the cool breeze. Her denim trousers have grass stains anddirt on them.

      “What’syours?” She asks, tossing the twig into the lake.

      “Wiley,” helooks over his shoulder to Emily’s parents who are playing withtheir infant boy.

     “That’s a funny name,” she snorts. Emily takes notice ofWiley’s worn clothes. Widening her eyes and lifting her brows, sheasks, “Are you a homeless?”

     Wiley shrugs, tightens his lips, and doesn’tanswer.

     “I used to be a homeless until my newmom and dad adopted-ed me,” Emily’s innocent smile lights up herface.

     “They look like very good parents,” Wiley smiles back ather.

     “Emily!” her mother calls.

     “Ihave to go now. I’ll tell my new daddy to bring me back anotherday,” Emily says waving at Wiley.

     Wiley waves at her from afar, as she walks by her father’shand. He wishes he could go home, too, but that’s only a dream forhim now. He also knows the chances of Emily ever coming back areslim. When will anyone talk to him again?

Every tree is barren in the forest as winterarrives. Wiley stands at the edge of the lake watching couples andchildren ice-skating. His hair looks a darker shade of blonde beingdampened by the humidity from the snowfall. His teeth rattle as hetries to keep himself warm by rubbing his arms; it doesn’twork.  If only he had a coat or a blanket – perhaps, a warmmeal. But he has nothing.

The long winter is harsh, but he manages tosurvive.

New leaves appear on the trees as springslowly pushes away the cold months of snow. Wiley is lying,admiring the blue skies in his usual spot near the lake.

     “Hi, Wiley!” Emily’s little voice produces a smile on Wiley’sthin face.

     “Hello, Emily,” Wiley greets his small friend.  “I’m gladyou’re back.”

     Wiley observes that Emily no longer has curly brown locks ofhair. She has no eyebrows or lashes, and she is wearing a hat. Hiseyes grow wide in amazement and concern.

     “Don’t look at me that way. It’s not nice,” Emilypouts.

     “I was admiring your hat,” Wiley tries to better Emily’scomposure.

     “My mommy bought it for me after all my hair fell off,” Emilysays with sadness in her voice.

     “Well, it’s a nice hat, Emily,” Wiley complimentsher.

     Wiley refrains from asking Emily about her evident,deteriorating health. He fears he may hurt Emily’sfeelings.

Silently, they sit admiring the lake for amoment. Through the corner of his eye, Wiley studies Emily’sappearance.

     “Well, aren’t you going to ask me about the cancer?” Emily’sbrow creases as she speaks. “Everybody asks.”

     “Do you want me to?” Wiley narrows his eyes.

     “No,” Emily shakes her head. “I don’t like to talk about beingsick. It makes me mad. I just want to play, but I get tired all thetime.”

     “Hmm…” Wiley nods. “I suppose we can play a guessing game. Thatwon’t tire you out.”

     “Okay,” Emily nods.

     The two are spending an enjoyable time playing a game ofriddles. Wiley laughs at Emily’s silly answers to his challenges.Emily forgets about her illness for the duration of her visit withWiley.

After what seems to be only a few minutes, anhour has passed, and Emily’s parents tell her it’s time toleave.

     “I’ll come back soon,” Emily waves at Wiley.

     “Promise?” Wiley calls out to her, as she walks to herparents.

     Emily turns and nods. She is gone again. Wiley has no one tospeak to until she returns.

Summer has come and gone, and it is thebeginning of autumn again, but Emily has not returned. Wileywonders when his little friend will ever come back. He wandersthrough the lakeside every day in hopes of seeing Emily and herfamily.

     Oneafternoon, at the end of October, Emily’s family car drives to theside of the road. Wiley stands from his spot on the grass and waitsfor Emily to approach.

     Emily looks healthier. She is wearing a red satin dress and awhite sweater.

“She looks like aprincess,” Wiley thinks to himself.

     “Hi, Wiley!” Emily smiles wide. “See? I promised I’d comeback.”

     “Yes, you did,” Wiley grins. “I’m happy that you’re betternow.”

     “Yes,” Emily nods. “The cancer is gone. I can play whatever Iwant.”

     “Would you like to play a game of tag?” Wiley inclines hisbody, ready to run.

     “Not right now,” Emily takes Wiley’s hand. “You and me have togo home.”

     “Emily…” Wiley’s