One down

by m8ryx

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Every day he stands at the freeway entrance, squinting into the sun, back bent slightly, shoes worn through long ago. His sign reads, “Homeless vet, anything helps. God bless.”

The gleaming string of cars stretches up and runs to the horizon. The fumes of their idling engines choke him. Behind him, cars scream by, rushing to slow down as they catch traffic.

At his side is all that he owns: a coat, an upturned hat, a blanket, and a pack of smokes. He shifts from his left leg to his right, stiff and sore from another night on the concrete.

A window rolls down, an arm reaches, hand closed, palm down. He shuffles to the hand, cups both of his underneath, and receives his prize.

Cracked lips manage a smile. “God bless.” Barely a nod, he hears the words good luck as the Toyota speeds off.

He glances at the treasure in his leathery hands, a single quarter, and flips it into the hat as he positions the sign.

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Comments

Average Reader Rating: 5.0 stars out of 5

  1. One down

    Alexa ♥'s Buddy Icon Alexa ♥

    Posted 12 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    Very realistic and emotional.

  2. One down

    Batak Beatrix's Buddy Icon Batak Beatrix

    Posted 12 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    Sad yet realistic portrayal of a bleak life with little hope.

  3. One down

    SKermitgorf's Buddy Icon SKermitgorf

    Posted 12 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    I like the present tense . Very emotional as Alexa said. I’ll think of your ficlet next time I am in Philly as I give a quarter to a homeless person.

  4. One down

    Mistress Elsha Hawk's Buddy Icon Mistress Elsha Hawk

    Posted 12 months ago

    some of our homeless have made a career of it around here, they make good money. Your homeless man seems very realistic, though. Good writing! Paints a bleak picture.

  5. One down

    Blossom Ruoqen's Buddy Icon Blossom Ruoqen

    Posted 11 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    this sounds like a weird compliment, but, I like your sentence structure!
    ; ))

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