This is the third part in the series. The first is It Ain't Tiffany's. The second is Mr Jones Place. I think you would enjoy the story better if you read those first. It would make much more sense. However feel free to read if you so desire. I wont condemn you.

Eric

Mr Jones Neighborhood

Part 1

I am sitting at the kitchen table smoking a cigarette and having some coffee thinking about the past month how crazy everything has been.

I cant believe Nikki and Juan live three blocks from me now. Never would I have thought that she would move here. Its truly great having the witch living so close to me. I have missed her a lot. Juan is becoming a frequent guest and I like that. The other day he came over and looked at me and says.

"Man your sister."

"Who you telling?" I responded and we laughed smoked a blunt and he had some food and went home.

Poor guy. Nikki is going to drive him insane decorating the house. First day they move here it snows 15 inches. Poor fucking guy never shoveled snow in his life. Always lived in apartments. Didn't even have a shovel. I get a call around 6:30 at work.

"Um Gary I don't have a snow shovel. Can you loan me one?"

They were stuck until I had William take one over to them. I mean I cant leave work to take the guy a shovel. OK I probably could have. We are thinking of hiring another cook so I can get some time off. I like working but its just I want to spend time with the boys. I mean sure I get some time. But not nearly enough at home time with them. I mean I get home around 8:30 so time for baths then soon bed. Not much time. That and the boys are always at the restaurant. They don't mind and don't complain. But they have no time to really play. They are boys they need that. I also miss sitting down and eating with them and hearing about their days. William walks in as I snuff out my butt.

"Today's the big day huh?" I ask him.

He grins at me.

"Just think tomorrow you will wake up in your own house. When you go to sleep Shelitha will be by your side and Mikayla close by."
"Its gone be real nice Mr Jones." He says with a grin and a faraway look. That boy is surely in love.
"I tell you what it was sure great you met Pastor Brown huh?"
"Who you telling? I cant believe that the church got together and collected things they wasn't using and pretty much we got every thing we need. Shoot I couldn't believe it. All the nice stuff we got. They are sure some nice people."
"Yes they sure seem to be. They have been so much help with delivering the food to the seniors. We would have found a way. But its so much nicer not having to."
"Yeah. Mr Jones I even got a little area set up for Jenae so she can stay. We put a bed in Mikaylas room for her and got a nightstand and everything."
"I tell you I sure am glad you are learning to appreciate your sister. Shes a good girl."
"Yeah. I was a real jerk to her for a long time. I guess I was jealous of her. I don't know. But I am trying to make up for it now."
"You cant make up for it buddy. But you can make it better in the future."
"Yeah."
I get up and start making some can cinnamon rolls. They sound good and that's what I feel like making for the boys this morning. Well, and anyone else who shows up. I know Dee and her two will be here. Nikki and Juan sometimes. I just don't know when. Should make her text me and let me know. I make two cans of them and put them in the oven. A little while later we are joined by Jamal and Tremay. Soon Kenny and Jenny appear.

I get them all fed, and while I am cleaning up I decide that tomorrow the boys and I are going to do something. I wonder who I can get to cook breakfast. I want William to go but he works at KFC so he is out. Not a chance in the world I would let Dee near my kitchen. Shay and Sharne might can do it. The boys and I get dressed and head to the restaurant, park and we go in.

My boys see Michelle's boys playing and join them quickly. She is getting things ready to open as are Shay and Sharne.

"If I got everything ready for lunch tomorrow today do you think you can cook breakfast for me and part of lunch?" I direct it to Shay and Sharne.

"Mr Jones I don't know. I mean if its slow I know I can do it. But if it gets busy I don't think I can keep up like you." Shay says to me.

"Yeah I got to go with Shay on this. I would love to help you out. But I just don't think I can do it." Sharne tells me.

"I guess its OK. I just kind of wanted to do something with the boys in the morning tomorrow. But I understand." I walk back to the kitchen a little sad. But it will be alright. I start getting things ready for lunch and start in on the breakfast orders. An hour after I'm there Michelle comes back into the kitchen.

"Mr Jones I think I can keep up tomorrow if you want me to try."
"Do you think so?" I ask her.

"I think so. I used to work at Waffle House and we kind of all just did everything. So I can cook everything here for sure. I think I can do it."
"Are you sure?"
"Not positive. But pretty sure. Waffle House isn't this big. But we did get lots of customers."
I think for a minute.

"I tell you what. Why don't we switch jobs for the day and see how you do. If you get into trouble at least I will be here to help out. I just cant see leaving you alone and if something happens you have no one to fall back on. Hows that sound?"

"That makes sense. Yeah lets try that." She says smiling.

So that's how I became a server for the day. I thought cooking was hard. Holy shit my fucking feet are killing me. But Michelle did a great job. We finally close and I am used to being on my feet all day. But not really walking. My feet hurt. My legs hurt. Pretty much if it is on me it hurts. I think even my hair hurts. I give Michelle the tips I made after her protesting for about 10 minutes it isn't right. Shay finally looks at her.

"Michelle you ain't gonna win. So you may as well give up now."

Michelle laughs and takes the money. I give her and her boys a ride home as its late and cold. She tells me not to come in tomorrow that she can handle it. I go and soak in the tub to get the soreness out of my body I hope. The boys and I watch a few TV shows and head to bed. It felt a little weird William not being there. But he is in his house with his little family now. Shelitha's moms lease is up in March so she will move in with them after that. I think they are both happy about that seeing as how they are both so young they will have someone that's older to help them with things they just don't know yet. Of course I will help if needed and I'm sure it will be a time or ten. Its OK I love William very much now. Shelitha is a great girl and whats not to love about little Mikayla? She so sweet and innocent you cant help but love her. She is teething now and a little fussy. But that's what babies are supposed to do.

I sleep really well and wake up around 5 and slip out of bed and head downstairs to get a cigarette and some coffee. I cant help but look up every few minutes to see if William is coming down yet or not. I'm really going to miss him around all the time. OK he will be around all the time. Just not living here. I sigh and get up and grab another cup of coffee and light another cigarette. I look at it and think I'm an idiot for picking it back up. But I am enjoying it for now. When I don't anymore I will quit again. I dread that because it was so hard last time. Maybe I should just stop now. I take a drag and decide maybe another day. Around six Jamal comes down stairs in all his glory. I swear I will never tire of seeing these boys naked. They are just so beautiful. Their very strong little bodies are so nice to look at. He comes up to me and sits on my lap and I hold him close to me.

"You never told us what we are doing today Mr Jones." He mumbles half asleep still.

"I thought we would go to church this morning."
"Mr Jones we ain't welcome there."
"Oh not that one. I was thinking we should go to Mr Bobs church and say thank you for all they are doing to help."
"I think they will like that."
"I think they will too. I also believe its the right thing to do. What do you think sounds good for breakfast?"
"Pancakes." he answers without hesitation.

"Sausage you think?"
"Of course silly." He answers with a giggle.

We sit a few minutes me holding him and him waking up the rest of the way.

"I miss William." He says breaking the silence.

"Yeah I was thinking the same thing earlier. But its not like we wont see him all the time."
"I know its just different now."
I sigh.

"Yeah. But hes proven himself. We couldn't keep him forever."
"I know. But I love him."
"Me too buddy. Part of love is that you have to let the people you love grow. Soon you will be moving back with your mom if everything goes right. It will be a day filled with happiness and sorrow at the same time."
"Yeah." He says softly.

I kiss him on top of the head.

"I love you so much."
"Love you too Mr Jones."

"Why don't you go wake up Tremay and I will start on pancakes."
He scoots off my lap and heads upstairs. I start in on the pancakes and sausage and they both join me in the kitchen in a few minutes.

I get them started eating as Jenny walks in.

"Morning Mr Jones." She sings.

"Morning Jenny Flagenheimer." I sing back.

"Flagenheimer?" She says and giggles.

"Wheres your brother?"
"He stayed with a friend last night." she answers as I put plate with pancakes and sausage in front of her.

I sit down and start eating and Dee comes in.

"Morning Dee."
"Morning Mr Jones." She says and gets a plate and puts some pancakes and sausage on it.

"Boys make room for Dee."
Tremay scoots over and sits with Jamal. See takes the vacated seat.

"I think I need a bigger kitchen table."
"Seems like it." Dee answers and takes a bite.

"Want to go to church with us this morning?" I ask her.

"Mr Jones why you gonna try to stir up trouble. She don't want you there."
"Why does everyone think that's the only church I would go to? We are going to Bobs church. I wanted to thank them for all their help and what they are doing. Seems like the right thing to do you know."
"Jenny what you thinking? Want to go with Mr Jones instead of our regular church?"

"I think Mr Jones is right. Seems like the right thing to do. They helped lots." Is her answer.

"Alright sounds good to me."
"Boys why don't you go get your suits on. I think Bob said Sunday school starts at 9:30 so we best get going we need to leave in about half an hour or so."

I'm figuring its a 30 minute drive but giving us a bit more just in case.

I light a cigarette after Dee gets done and we chat a few minutes as we smoke and sip our coffee. After we finish she heads home with Jenny and I head upstairs to put on one of my high dollar suits. I have to admit I look really good in them. But I sure don't miss wearing a tie. I look at my shoes and decide to give them a quick polish and do just that. I get a nice shine on them and get dressed. I grab a pack of cigarettes off the night stand and drop them in the jacket pocket and grab my keys, wallet and money clip. I think how well the restaurant. is doing and smile. Man they were so right we are doing great. I never thought we would make as much as we are and still able to help the children. Thing is most restaurants have a lull time say between 2 and 4pm and then around 7 it drops off. Ours hasn't done that at all. At 8 it drops off to a trickle but the rest of the day from 7 to 7 it is pretty much you almost have to wait for a table. Sometimes they do. Its been amazing. I stroll downstairs and Dee and Jenny are sitting on the couch. Which really shocks me because they are women. So I figured I would be waiting on them. But Dee was already pretty much done up when she came over for breakfast. The boys come out of the kitchen with a juice box in hand.

Dee sees me and whistles.

"You look fine Mr Jones."

"I know." I say trying to keep a straight face. I cant and bust out laughing.

"You do look real nice Mr Jones." Jenny tells me.

"Yeah but look how handsome my boys are there. You both need haircuts. Dee you think you can get them done later?"

"Sure."

"Cool I think I will have a nap after church. I haven't had one of those in ages it seems. You want me to drive or do you want to drive as well?"

"I was thinking of stopping at Walmart on the way back." She says to me.

"Actually I was too. Just ride with me and we will save the environment.

"Yeah in that big old truck." She says smiling.

"Seriously I was thinking that maybe we should look into some solar panels for the restaurant. I don't know if it would be worth it or not. But I think I want to look into it. I bet Juan can find me some tax credits or something. That and the size our electric bill is. It would be nice to cut it down some anyway."

So we all get in the truck. The children in back and Dee and I up front. The entire trip we talked about the restaurant, and ideas we were having to make it better.

"I wonder if we could put in sky lights and save on lights? Try to make it more environmentally friendly as we are saving money and getting tax credits." She says.

"You know Walmart does that in some of its stores."

"We should check into this and see what Juan can find out." She tells me as we pull up to the church. We all head inside and who is there to great us but Bob and his wife. It was actually a coincidence as they were hanging up their coats as we walked in.

"Well look whose here." Bob says grinning ear to ear holding out his hand to greet me.

I of course shake his hand.

"It just seemed right to come and see your church and thank all of you in person. So the boys and I headed over to do just that."

"We are sure glad to have you guys." He says as I slip off my coat.

I can tell this guy is truly genuine. He is just a really nice person that everyone should be like.

Dee and Bobs wife are talking and the boys and Jenny get their coats off and I take them and hang them up.

"Why don't I show the children where they will meet for Sunday school and then you and I can head off to the mens group." Bob tells me.

"Sure, sounds good to me."

Pastor Brown is in the group however he doesn't lead it. I am introduced to the few men in the group I haven't met yet. As the group goes on and we discuss the teachings in the bible I am actually enjoying myself. Usually someone starts talking about the bible I just think a nap is in order. But this guy really makes it come to life. Once it is over it is agreed upon that I address the congregation. I am so at a loss as to what to say other than thank you. I mean what more can I say or needs said. So we all head to the sanctuary after a 15 minute break. The boys and Jenny find me and Dee talking about how nice of a time we are having and they tell us they had lots of fun too. We head in and the pastor calls me up and has me sit on the stage. He and I are just chatting back and forth about nothing in particular and the congregation settles down and he heads to the pulpit.

"Good morning everyone. I don't know what you came to do..…"
The congregation replies loudly in unison.

"I came to praise the Lord!!!"
The pastor smiles.

"Everyone as you all know we have been helping out at Mr Jones Place as we can. We have a lot of volunteers helping to take the seniors in the area meals. Also we have been trying to raise money to help as well. But you all know this so lets hear from Mr Gary Jones who wanted to come and talk to you all today about the help we have been giving. So here he is. Mr Jones." The pastor holds his hand out to me and I stand up and walk over and hug the man.

"Thank you so much." I whisper in his ear.

He pats me on the back and takes a seat. I step up to the microphone and am for some reason a bit nervous. I look out over the crowd of I'm sure over a hundred people and they are all smiling and nodding at me.

"Good morning everyone I'm Gary Jones. As I am sure you all know by now if you didn't already I am a sex offender. My crime happened over 20 years ago and I have done everything I can to put that into my past. However it seems to keep getting drug up even though I haven't been in any trouble since. I moved here from New York City a little over a year ago. That is when what I think my real journey began. One thing about me you will learn is I don't lie. I don't see a reason to lie. Anyone asks me anything I will always be honest. I think that's the best way to be. So the reason I say this is because one thing. I'm not even sure there is a God in the heavens. Because of the people like you saw on TV that confronted me who profess they are doing Gods work." I pause a moment.

"Then I meet all of you and now I have to rethink my beliefs. I still am not sure there is a God. But if there is it is people like you that are truly doing his work. But about my journey and how it all began. It all started when I was a boy and we visited the Mid West and I fell in love. I simply loved the open spaces and the farms and just the genuine kindness of the people here. I think that if there is a God he had my past haunt me to a degree while I lived in New York so I wouldn't have a desire to stay. See I'm a computer programmer and before all of this happened I was in very high demand. I was always busy and made amazing money at it. Then after that happened I could hardly find work. I was shunned like a leper mentioned in the bible. Cast away like a piece of trash. So I was always upset, sad and frustrated. I was always looking for a better life somewhere else. I found my little house online for nearly next to nothing. I mean it was 3 months rent where I lived before to own my home. I knew it was in a bad neighborhood. I didn't care. I wanted to be free of the shame people cast on me in the city. Besides I didn't plan on making any friends anyway. I just wanted to get away from people and be able to relax. Not constantly be worried I was going to lose my job if someone found out. My boss knew but if anyone complained I could be out without anything. So no rent was a great thing for me. I move and the first day I moved in I met Mr Green, and my neighbors children Kenny and Jenny. Now here I am in the middle of a new place, a sex offender and I now have two children at my house with an older gentlemen. Well first chance I got I told Dee their mother about my past so I could end this quickly and go back to my regular life where no one cared about me. Where I had love to give but no one wanted it. Because of a mistake I made 20 years ago. I tell you what she sure surprised me and accepted me as a new person that is trying to put their past behind them. I truly love her for that." I say and smile at her.

"So here I am remodeling my house and became great friends with Mr Green, Kenny and Jenny as well. It really made my heart like the grinches grow several sizes bigger." I hear a few giggles at my reference.

"So one day I go to Menards to get some things for the house. I think paint. But I'm not sure honestly, and am looking at a HUGE gym set thinking it might be nice for Kenny and Jenny to play on. See even then I loved those two little ones so much. It was the first time I had really been around children that age in my life on a regular basis. With their love and acceptance I felt so great I wanted to get them something really fun for them. Because children should be able to play and laugh and have fun and not worry about things. So I look at it and it was pretty expensive. I knew there was no way I could get it then. I thought maybe later I can get it. When Bob walks up next to me and tells me he has one his boys don't use anymore and would I be interested in having it for a hundred dollars. Now the one I was looking at was right near $500 so I jumped at it. I wanted my little friends to have some fun seeing as how summer wasn't too far off. So I follow Bob to his and his wife's place and see as he told me, its bigger than the one at the store. I think I tried to offer him more money. Now this guy is so nice not only does he help me take it apart. The guy actually offers to come and help me set it back up. He is just that nice of a guy. I turn him down and it takes me until a week or so before school lets out to actually get the time to set it up. Kenny and Jenny were thrilled and so happy to play on it. I went in and was only gone a few minutes and come back and there are a few more children playing on it. I'm thinking this is great. Let them have fun."

I pause and take a drink of water.

"Now a few days later school had let out and Mr Green had passed. So I am watching Kenny and Jenny while their mom is at work and school. I go out to get them for lunch and I see there are several children playing. I would guess probably around 20 or so. See in our neighborhood the public park is basically a bunch of broken things and weeds up to your knees filled with broken bottles and trash. So the children really don't have anywhere to play. I realize its close to lunch and I know a lot of these little guys and girls wont have anything to eat. Their parents just cant afford it. Its that simple. So I ask how many of them wont have lunch and almost all of them raise their hands." I cant help it a tear escapes my eye thinking about children being hungry. I wipe it away as it reaches my cheek.

"Now I am hardly a rich man by standards in our country. But really what else could I do. I made lunch for all of them that wouldn't be able to eat. It just seems like the right thing to do. There was no way I could feed Kenny and Jenny and let others go hungry. So from that day on every day I would make lunches for all the children. Then Shay and Sharne came along and started helping. Their significant others helped as well with some financial backing and other things they would do." I pause a moment. I run my fingers through my hair and continue.

"So all summer that's what we did. Then when school started back we just had lunch on the weekends for the children. We found out that a lot of seniors in our area needed help as we were helping the children. So of course we helped them as well. When school started back we had the seniors meals delivered to their homes because we didn't want them to be hungry. With a lot of pushing and prodding they all talked me into opening Mr Jones Place. See even though its called that. Its not mine. I don't own it. I only own 35% of it and the ladies Dee, Shay and Sharne own the rest. But they all saw my vision much more clearly then myself. Not one time was it ever mentioned that we stop feeding the children. We just wanted to give them a nicer place to eat and nicer food as well. Many of you were there on Christmas and saw the amount of people that needed a little help that day. We had a lot of families come in that day and I'm proud to say not one was turned away. It really made my heart swell with happiness that we could do this for all these people. We were also able to make sure every child that came in got a gift of some sort. They weren't big or expensive. But that's not important to these children. See when you have nothing and then you have something its better than nothing." Now I can help it the tears really start to flow now.

"You have no idea how amazing these children are. How truly selfless they are. I wanted to cry all day on Christmas because I was out with the children and they all wanted to give me a gift. Two little guys saved for two months any money they found, or got to get me a new measuring cup to replace one I had broken over the summer. The children drew wonderful little pictures for me. They made me amazing little gifts. What they don't realize is my gift is that they have full tummies. So for you guys helping me get my gift of them being full. I want to give a very sincere, and heart felt thank you. You don't know how much it means to me to be able to help them as much as you are allowing me to."

I start to retake my seat when Dee stands up and the pastor walks over to me and guides me back to the pulpit. This was obviously planned without my knowledge.

"Everyone I have met most of you at Mr Jones Place and I want to say thank you as well to all of you. But mostly I want to say thank you to my friend Mr Jones. You see when I first met that man up there I was working two full time jobs and barely making it. What he didn't tell you is my children were two of them that without him wouldn't have had lunch that day, or many meals he provided for them. I was really struggling to make it. But I wasn't about to go on welfare and sit and collect a check. I wanted to make my own way in the world without the help of anyone. Well, I have learned that's wrong on so many levels that we all need help every so often. What this man has done for me is amazing. He told me to go back to college and get a degree. He not only told me to he showed me how to as well. He even watched my babies for me so I can go back to school and get a degree. Well, I got one degree already so I could get one job that pays well enough I don't have to worry about bills. Now I am getting my degree in social work so I can do as Mr Jones, and help so many of our youth that are in need. I know you all see the good he does helping feed the children. But you really don't know how big his heart really is. I know Pastor Brown knows the story behind William but I doubt the rest of you do. William was a thug. Someone who even his own mother had given up on. But his girlfriend came over to ask for help to get some formula for their baby. Mr Jones found out William was the father and took him into his home and gave him love like he craved and needed. Don't think he wouldn't smack him upside the head when he needed it though."
A few laughs came from the audience.

"Now I wont lie. I thought he was nuts and told him so. The first time he met William he pulled a gun on Mr Jones and threatened to shoot him. But did that stop him from doing what he thought was right. No way. He stood by his ideals and he talked to the head of the gang and they said he could have him. Well, as most of you know William is now working two jobs. Going to school to get his GED and just moved into his own house that Mr Jones arranged for him to buy. I tell him all the time he looks at the world through rose colored glasses and he just smiles and tells me its prettier that way. But without him in my life helping me, I know I would still be working two jobs, and barely being able to spend the time with my children. Thank you Mr Jones. I love you so much."
I just nod because there is no way I can speak. I see Jamal stand up.

He looks at me and smiles. I of course smile back.

"Miss Dee is right you would never see how big Mr Jones heart is. Plus he would never tell you about all the good things he does because he doesn't think what he does is good. He just thinks its the right thing to do, and anyone would do it. I met most everybody here before and you all know I'm staying with Mr Jones. I love him so much. But what you don't know is the reason why I am staying with him. See my mom was addicted to crack. She was out on the streets selling herself so she could buy more drugs. The last thing on her mind was me. I never knew when I was gonna eat and then Mr Jones started feeding me lunch and I started going to his house a lot because he makes me feel good. Just being around him does that to me. But he talked to my mom for a long time and he finally got her to go into rehab and get some help. She has been in rehab for like 3 and a half months now and is learning how to lead her life without drugs controlling it. She is about to get out and I'm real happy about it too. I know that one day I will go back and live with her when she is better and she isn't worried she will do drugs again. I talked to Mr Jones about this a lot. I know I will be really sad when I go home but I will be really happy too. Mr Jones gave me love when no one else would. He showed me that there really are good people out there that care about folks and don't want nothing in return. He gave me lots of love when I needed it and and he is giving me my mom back. Thank you Mr Jones I love you."

"Love you too buddy." I tell him.

Tremay stands up next. He lifts his hand shyly and waves at everyone.

"Hi everybody. I'm Tremay and I want to tell you what Mr Jones did for me. See let me start by saying I'm gay. Now Mr Jones he doesn't care about that. But my dad sure did. I never told Mr Jones this but I figure he knows anyway. But my dad used to beat me every day. He would hit me with a belt his fists anything that was handy because he was so mad at me for being gay. He would tell me that he didn't make no gay son I must not be his. So one day it all came to a boil and M took me to Mr Jones and he asked him if I could stay there. Of course Mr Jones said sure Then within a few minutes he was already talking about me staying until I went to college and him paying for it. I was thinking oh boy whats he gonna want for all this. But he didn't want nothing. He has never asked me for anything other than to be the best person I can be. Well I think the best person I can be is to be just like Mr Jones when I get big. I love you Mr Jones."

"Love you too." I answer back.

A few people in the congregation talked about things they had seen I had done when I thought no one was looking and shared that. I tell you what I was truly touched all these people were saying such nice things about me. I start talking again.

"Thank you all for the kind words. But what I've done is really nothing. I just try to treat people like I want to be treated. But thank you for thinking I'm something special."
"Mr Jones." The pastor says to me putting his hand on my back and stepping next to me.

"It must have been Gods work for you to come here today because we were going to come see you today."
"Oh really?" I say surprised.

"Yes you see we started a new program to help you in your goal. At our last meeting we all discussed it and on average everyone here goes out to eat at least twice a week. So what we have decided to do is cut that to once and then donate what we would have spent to help feed the children and the seniors that you help take care of."

"That's really something. I don't think you know how much this will help. How many people it will feed. Dee and I were talking about things we would like to do to make the restaurant better for people on the way here. With your generosity those things can happen faster than we had ever hoped. Thank you so much."
"Our children's Sunday school teacher would like to tell you something now." He tells me.

A nice looking lady who I have met but cant recall her name stands up.

"Mr Jones its not my place to tell you about this. I think it should come from the person who thought of it. Janie Sue tell Mr Jones about it." The lady sits down and a girl stands up she looks to be about 14 and has red hair. She waves at me.

"Hi Mr Jones."
I wave back. She helped at Christmas and I remember her.

"Mr Jones after Christmastime me and my friends were talking and I was telling them about what all you do. One of the boys in our group was like so what its no big deal to miss a meal. So we challenged him to not eat breakfast or lunch for a week and only have supper. He was like sure no big deal. Well we all agreed to do it after he challenged us to do it. Let me tell you we were all hungry all the time. So we started talking to our friends at school about it too. What we all decided to do with the permission of our parents is one day a week not eat lunch at school and donate the money to the children you feed. We all talked about it and we really want to do it. Because when we skip that meal we feel hungry and it reminds us how truly blessed we are that we don't have to be hungry. That we are choosing to be hungry so we can help someone else. It reminds us that the ones that we are helping don't have the choice to be hungry they just are. We talked to the principal about it to make sure it was OK and she not only said it was OK. She would set a donation box in the office so the kids could put their money in the box so we wouldn't have to worry about it. So Mr Jones here is a check for $138. We are hoping to get more kids involved so it will be more. We hope it will help."

"You have no idea how much it will help. Thank you so much." I say to her as she hands me the check. I cant help it I have to hug her.

"Please tell all your friends and everyone else how much we appreciate their help."
"I sure will." She says gushing.

I sit down after and the pastor gives a short sermon about the golden rule and we all part ways and head home. As was planned we stop at Walmart. I start pushing a cart and Dee is next to me. I'm buying things I don't normally buy and she asks me whats up.

"Well, I'm worried about Michelle and her boys. I'm worried they don't have much food in the house. I mean she is just barely making it. I know that her and the boys eat at the diner when shes working. But what about when shes not?"
She just smiles at me and and starts putting things in her cart for them too. When its all done we have about ten bags of groceries for her and the boys. Now we are sneaky people. Well when we have to be. Dee still has a copy of the key to her old house and the landlord being as cheap as he is never changed the locks. So while we know Michelle is at work doing my job. We sneak in her house and put the groceries up. I am looking around and she has blow up mattresses for her and the boys. I'm looking at Dee and don't even have to say a word. She just nods at me. I pull my phone from my pocket and push Mitchell's number.

"Sup Mr Jones?" He answers.

"Who do you know that sells quality furniture at really good prices?"

"What do you need?"
"I need a living room suit. I need two children bedrooms decked out. I need a ladies bedroom done and a kitchen table."

"Do I know the person its for?"
"Michelle and her boys. They got nothing Mitchell. They are sleeping on air mattresses buddy. They got no furniture to speak of. We got to help them out. They deserve better than this."
"I'm at the restaurant. Let me call you back in a few minutes."
We walk back to my house and sit on the couch. A few minutes later Jamal and Tremay come back with a paper grocery sack each holding it in front of them.

"Mr Jones they ain't got any toys. We want to give them these if its OK?" Tremay tells me.

"You guys are so sweet. You know that."
"We learned it from you." Jamal says and grins.

"You are good boys." As I say that my phone rings.

"Can you talk now?" I ask Mitchell.

"Meet Q and me at the thrift store on 13th you know the one?"

"Yes."
"We will be there in 15 minutes." He tells me and ends the call.

I look at Dee the boys and Jenny.

"I think good shady just hit." smiling when I say it.

"Come on we got to meet them."
We all pile in the truck and head to the thrift store. We meet the guys in the parking lot as they are walking in.

We walk up to the counter and guy looks a little scared when Mitchell walks up.

"Mr Jones here needs two bedroom outfits for boys and one for their mom. He also needs a living room suit and a kitchen table. He wants it to be real nice too. He also wants to be able to afford it."
"Um sure M," the man says to him. "I just got a bunch of stuff in. I went to a storage auction and got a bunch of nice things. Come on back I will show you."
We follow him back and in the back room is a ton of stuff. Dee for some reason didn't follow. I just shrug and think OK. We look around and we find some really nice furniture. I mean its not fiberboard crap some of its even Broyhill which is pretty good stuff. The boys, Mitchell and Quinton and I take out what we want and have it set aside.

"OK how much?" I say looking at the guy.

"A thousand?" He says with hesitation. I start to grab my wallet because its more than fair I think.

Quinton just clears his throat.

"Um I mean hows $500 sound?"
"That sounds pretty good." I say extracting my billfold from my pocket.

"How about free?" Mitchell says.

The guy just looks down and mumbles.

"Alright."

"Mitchell I cant do that. That's not right. The man has to earn a living. I'm sure at $500 he is losing money."
"Alright Mr Jones. How about I don't charge him the vig for a month?"

I'm thinking a second and I know that this could be thousands of dollars pretty quickly.

"Sure." The guy says with enthusiasm. So I guess I may be right about the amounts.

"Hey wait. Are you the Mister Jones that's feeding the kids?" The man asks.

"Yeah why?"

"I have been meaning to come see you. I got some things for you the other day I thought you could use."

Mitchell looks at me as confused as I am. But we follow the guy over to the corner of the warehouse area of the place.

"See I got this old popcorn popper from a movie house that went out of business. I was thinking you could make some popcorn and when the kids all leave you could give them a big bag of it so if they need a snack later they got one. Oh I almost forgot. I got this Nacho cheese warmer and chili warmer too. I was thinking it would be a neat treat for them once in a while and shoot you could even sell them to your regular customers and the profit from that goes to feed the little ones. Oh and over here. Yeah there it is. I got a warmer for you. I know you make fried chicken and this is a good warmer it has heat forced up to keep the food at the right temperature. I don't know if you have one of those or not.

"I sure don't and that would really be helpful too."

The guy grins.

"How much you want for all of it?"
"Nah I got it for you special. I grew up and was hungry a Hell of a lot. I just thought man I got to help this guy if I can. So I saw this shit and thought it might help you out a little."

"Man I love it. I especially like the popcorn idea. I mean after they eat I have no idea if they get hungry later. I mean I know around 8 I get a tiger in my tummy. Some popcorn usually does the trick."

"Hey when I find some more stuff I will snatch it up for you and if you cant use it I will sell it somewhere."
"I really appreciate it. I know the children will too. I never met a child yet that didn't love nachos or popcorn. Mitchell I need to go rent a truck. Who do you know?"

"Shoot I got a truck out back. You want to borrow it?" The guy asks me.

"Sure if you don't mind."
"Man I don't mind so much I will even drive and help load and unload the stuff. I'm just glad I ran into you. I've had that stuff a few weeks now."

Dee walks up her and Jenny weighed down with stuff.

"They need this too." She tells me.

"What is it?"
"Curtains, some dishes and silverware. Some glasses and some other kitchen items."

"Put it in the truck." The man says smiling. So we all load up the stuff on the truck and take it to Michelle's house and Jenny tells everyone where to put things. She just has a knack for it and everyone knows it so they just put stuff where she tells them.

I'm looking around thinking it looks real nice now. Then I notice something. I pull out my phone.

"Juan what are you doing?" I ask after he answers.

"Listening to your sister tell me I'm no good. You?"

"Whatever."I say laughing. "You know that TV you aren't using because you don't have anywhere to put it?"
"Yeah."
"How much you want for it?"
"Gary you want it? Its yours."
"Its not for me. So how much?"
"Who you giving it to?"
I sigh.

"Michelle. They don't have anything Juan. So we went and got some furniture and I realized they ain't got a TV set. So I figured I can buy that one from you and set it up for them."
"I'm guessing you are at her house now?"
"Yeah."
"Be there in 5 minutes. NIKKI!!!!" I hear him holler before he hangs up.

Quinton is standing next to me just smiling and shaking his head.

"Mr Jones I got to run to my house to get some sheets and blankets. I don't know what we will do about pillows though. I guess I can go back to Walmart." Dee says to me.

"Easy I will just grab the ones off the bed that Juan and Nikki were using and the ones off the one in the other room too so that's six pillows. That ought to do it."

"Yep." She agrees and races off.

"Jamal, Tremay come here." I half holler.

Two boys magically appear and I tell them to go get the pillows and the toys they are wanting to give the boys. They race off and it takes them three trips but they get it all. Dee is back and making Mitchell help her make Michelle's bed while Quinton and I make the boys beds. I hear the front door open and Juan calling for me.

"Back here."
He walks back and is in the doorway.

"Your Puerta Rican you aren't supposed to be on CP time." I say laughing at him.

"I know I said five minutes but your gonna love why it took 20. Come check it out."
I put the final touches on the bed and follow him to the living room.

I see Nikki bringing in a box.

"See its my old game system. I figured its just sitting in a box doing nothing. I bet them boys would love it. Oh and Nikki said we had all those movies on DVD and since we switched everything to digital we never watch them anymore. So we brought those too."
"You are so awesome Juan." I tell him.

"Oh sure I lug in the boxes and that big ass is awesome?" Nikki says laughing. She looks around. "Wow Gary this is really nice. Some of its nicer then our stuff. Maybe we should have you go shopping for us."
"Shut up and keep bringing in the boxes." I tell her.

"Fuck off Gary." She laughs at me.

I follow her out and its like 4 boxes of DVDs. They do love the movies. Juan has three weaknesses he cant ever say no to. Movies, ice cream and my sister. If she ever told him no to ice cream, I'm not sure what might happen. We get it all hooked up and everything in place and Jenny says.

"We better leave a note otherwise she might think the landlord rented it to someone else or something."

"Huh. Never thought of that." Is my brilliant response.

So I have Jamal run over and get some paper and a pen. He gets back and I write down.

We love you. Welcome to your new life. The neighborhood.

"Hows that sound?" I ask Dee.

"Sounds good to me. That way she wont know who did it and will just be happy not trying to figure out who she owes something to." Is her response.

"Yeah but she will sure think its Mr Jones for sure."Jenny says.

"Yeah but I don't know nothing, and I was with Mr Jones all day long." Tremay says.

"Yep furniture. What are you talking about. I'm 10 I cant move no furniture." Jamal adds.

Mitchell and Quinton just laugh. The owner of the store left after we unloaded everything. I put the gifts he gave me in the bed of my truck.

Mitchell and Quinton take off to do whatever it is they do and Dee and the children and I walk over to my house.

I sit on the couch and Jamal and Tremay are next to me. Dee sits in the chair and Jenny at the end of the couch.

"So much for your nap Mr Jones." Dee says with a smile.

"Yeah well this is way better I think. She will be really happy I hope. Other than the fact that you know we broke into her house."

As we are starting to talk Jamal's belly grumbles.

"Oh shit Dee we didn't have lunch. Its almost supper time. Lets go to the restaurant and have supper. My treat."
"Yeah your treat. I hear ya." She says grinning.

"Mr Jones why don't you call Aunt Nikki and Uncle Juan and have them join us?" Tremay asks.

"Now that's a good idea."

I text meet me at the restaurant. Need to talk.

I sent it to Juan because Nikki would want to know about what and then ask a million questions and ruin it. You know like sisters do.

So we head to go eat and pull in about a minute before Juan and Nikki.

We get in and take off our coats and hang them up. We grab a table and sit down and Juan and Nikki sit with us.

"So what did you need to talk about?" Juan asks me.

"Well we do have some things to talk about. But really we just wanted to have dinner with you guys."
"Oh that's sweet for my brother. I'm betting my little nephews put him up to it." She says smiling.

"You know they did. For some reason they like you." I joke with her.

"What not to like. I'm nearly perfect."

"A perfect ass." I reply.

"Fuck you Gary."
"You know you have had the same come back since you were 8." I say laughing. Its actually true.

"Why change perfection?"
Dee just looks down and shakes her head smiling knowing I lost that one, and fast.

"Hey Mr Jones you eating tonight?" Shay asks me.

"Yeah we thought we would be customers for once. Its kind of nice really."
"Alright then."
She takes our order and brings back drinks and we talk to Juan about our ideas to make the place more Eco friendly and if it would actually benefit us tax wise. Turns out it will indeed do just that. We will get all kinds of tax breaks for all of it. So that's really cool.

"Hey Juan can you help me bring some things in from the truck?"
"Sure Gary."
So we bring in the popcorn machine. It takes us both its big and bulky. Doesn't weigh a lot but its not light either. We take it into the kitchen and put it in a corner until I can get to it tomorrow. Then we get the nacho and chili warmers and the food warmer.

I told him how I got it and about at the church this morning. I'm thinking we have really got it made now. We wont have to worry so much where the money is coming from. We can just do what we do.

We have a really nice dinner and we get done and head home. Dee and Jenny go to their house and me and the boys head to ours. I see its around 6 now and I'm kind of tired. I know I cant take a nap its much to late for that. However I'm certainly not opposed to smoking a bowl and accidentally dozing in my chair for an hour or so.

I pack a bowl and Jamal asks me.

"Mr Jones can we play the game for a while?"
"Sure buddy. I guess with me working so much and you guys being at the restaurant. You don't get to play so much anymore."
"No not so much. But it just makes it better when we can because its not all the time. Kind of makes it special." Is his response.

"Tremay while your in the kitchen grab me a soda."
He looks at me from where he is sitting in front of the game and giggles. Then runs and gets me a Coke.

"Thank you buddy."
"You welcome Mr Jones."
I smoke my bowl and am watching the boys play and listening to them trash talk each other. Its nice to be home for a change. I think that if Michelle doesn't mind I may have her cook every Sunday. I really need to hire a few more people because we are all working a lot of hours except Michelle. Owners don't get time and a half. As I'm watching as I had predicted or hoped not sure which I doze off. I wake up about an hour later and the boys have switched games and are still playing.

"Guys I'm going to go take a nice long bubble bath."
"Sure Mr Jones." They reply.

I head upstairs and get some sleeping pants because I don't want to be naked all evening. I start the water and get bubbles. Then I just lean back and relax. It feels amazing. I sit in the tub a good half an hour and head downstairs to my "new" office in the kitchen and make a few dollars for the boys college funds. I'm doing pretty good I got about 40k in their accounts now. I don't want anything to stop these two from getting the education they need and deserve. I make a few hundred dollars and around 9 I decide to stop. I'm tired and really don't want to do it anymore. I'm thinking that if Michelle's boys were older I would love to have her come in around noon or one and cook the rest of the day so I can actually spend time with the boys. I miss them a lot. I know I see them every day. But I don't really get to spend time with them like they and I want. What would even be great is to get off around 3 or 4 and then when they get home from school we can just go home and enjoy our evenings together. Maybe in time I will find someone. I guess we will have to wait and see. I sit in my chair and hear someone knock on the door.

"HM wonder who that could be?" I ask the boys.

"Round here its hard to say."Tremay answers.

"True I suppose."

I open the door and Michelle is there with her two boys looking at me.

"Well isn't this a surprise. Michael and David the boys are playing their game you want to play?"
Their faces light up and race over after they get their coats off. I of course help Michelle with hers and hang it up.

"Come on lets go in the kitchen so we don't hear all the binging and bonging from the games. Do you smoke weed?"

She smiles at me as she sits at the table.

"I have been known to."

"Would you like to now?"
"It would be really nice I think. I can actually relax for a minute. Not have to worry about....well what I used to have to worry about."
"Are you happy now?" I ask her as I'm filling a bowl for us to smoke.

The boys come in with Michael and David behind them and get juice boxes.

"Aren't you going to ask Mr Jones if you can have that?" She asks them.

"Sorry momma. Mr Jones.…"
"Boys the rule here is if I have it you got it. Only exception is if there is only one piece of peach pie. Then y'all will starve." I say laughing.

"Don't let him lie to you. If you wanted it he would give it to you." Tremay says smiling.

"I would not." I say defending myself.

"Mr Jones really?" Jamal asks.

"Yeah I would probably let you guys have it."I respond.

"But we wouldn't never do that to you. We know its your favorite in the world."

"Darn tootin. Now go play. I'm sure Michael and David would like to have some fun instead of looking at my old self."
The boys all giggle and head to the living room.

"So was it you?"
I know good and well what she is talking about. But I'm not about to admit it.

"Was what me?" I say trying to put on my most clueless face.

"You know."
"Michelle I have no idea what you are talking about." I hand her the pipe to hopefully get her to stop asking questions because I'm not a person that lies. I don't like to do it. But I also just wanted to do something nice for her. She seems like a great person. Seems like she deserves some nice in her life for a change.

She looks at me and puts the pipe to her mouth and takes a hit. She immediately starts coughing so I jump up and grab her a Coke, open it and hand it to her. She takes a few quick swallows.

"Oh lord its been a while." She says wiping a tear from her eye.

"I'm not trying to stop you or anything. But this is some of the best weed I have ever had in my life. I think you should have two hits and quit for now."
"Yeah that seems about right." She says to me with pie eyes already after just one.

I take the pipe as she hands it to me and take a hit. Hold it and do it again. She takes it and takes another hit and holds it and then lets it out.

"The thing is I know its you. One of the toys had Tremays name on it. My only question is why?"
"Didn't you see the note?"
"Yes but it doesn't say why."
"Sure it did. It says we love you. We take care of people we love."

"What if I quit tomorrow? What then? You want money for it then?"
"First I hope you don't quit. Also I owe you an apology since we essentially broke into your house. I promise that will never happen again. I got excited and wasn't thinking. But I hope you like what we got."
"I got to pay you something for it."
"Why? I didn't pay anything for it. You will learn quick enough that with me if I do something there are no strings attached. There is no small print. I do what I want when I want to help people I want to help. People who I think deserve some help. People like you that are struggling and trying to get free of an abusive person. Michelle I have the utmost respect for you. Because I know it has to be terrifying bringing your boys to somewhere you have never been, and trying to start a new life. A better life. One that you don't have to be scared all the time. One where the boys can be happy and not have to be scared either. You are an amazing and strong woman."

She doesn't answer she just looks at me. I can see her trying to read my face and it confuses her because she isn't used to a face that's truthful. She is used to walking on egg shells so she doesn't get beaten and probably still did. I can see the moment she realize I'm being truthful because tears start to slide down her cheeks.

"It was so hard." She says through her tears. It was hard for her to say. I quickly get up and go next to her and get on my knees and embrace her. We are about the same height now and she leans in and starts really crying on my shoulder.

"My mommas crying. I need to make sure she is OK." Michael says.

"No you let Mr Jones handle it buddy. Hes real good at it." Tremay tells him.

"But its my momma. I got to look after my momma." He says.

"Yeah and now Mr Jones is gonna take care of her and you guys too. You will see it will be real good real soon." Jamal tells him.

I hear them but my concern is with Michelle at this moment.

I hold her and she hugs me back and cries and cries and cries. I didn't time it because its not important how long it takes someone to get out the pain. Its just important they do. But if I was a gambling man. Which I obviously am. I would bet it was a good 25 to 30 minutes of her just crying and then switching to racking sobs then back to just tears. After a good deal of time that she finally stops.

I am still holding her and rubbing her back.

"There now don't you feel a little better."

"I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me. I'm not really an emotional person."
I break the embrace and get up slowly because honestly my knees hurt like fuck being on the hardwood floor or so long.

"I imagine that everything finally caught up to you and you felt safe and let it go. For that there is no reason to be sorry."

"I better go. We have taken up enough of your time."
"Don't be silly. Sit and relax for a while. I wanted to talk to you anyway."
"OK."
"I was thinking that I really miss spending time with my boys and am hoping you will work Sundays from now on so I can have that time with them. But if you do I will make sure you have of Saturdays so you can spend it with yours."
"But that's the best tip day."
"That's a good point. I don't want to do that to you. OK Mondays and Tuesdays are a little slower. How about those? I know you wont be able to spend the whole day with them but you can spend the evening with them."
"Can I work one of the days and just get off when the boys get off the bus?"
"If that's what you want we will make it happen."

She smiles. We sit and talk another hour just about life and our experiences. She is a smart lady for sure. She is only 25 though and got hooked up with her boyfriend when she was 16 and soon followed Michael and then David. They are sweet boys. They do head home at around 11 which is fine. Its going to suck for me tomorrow because I have to work so early and all day. Yes I certainly need another cook. I think we will put an add on the Craig thing or something like it. I know we can afford it. We are doing great business. As I am thinking this I walk into the living room and the boys are still playing.

"Go get your baths guys."
No argument or the hint of one. They just turn it off mid game and head upstairs. Such good boys really. I wouldn't have been upset if they wanted to finish the current game. I should have told them when the game is over go take your baths. I will from now on. Its only fair.

I smoke another bowl and head upstairs as they are coming out of the bath.

"You boys have fun?"
"Yeah we like Mike and Dave." Jamal tells me.

"Mike and Dave is it?"
"Yes sir. Its what they said they wanted to be called." Tremay tells me.

"I will have to remember that."
I leave on my sleeping pants and a t shirt tonight because for some reason I'm a little chilly. Maybe I am getting sick. I don't know. I asked the boys and they said they are fine. We climb into bed and the boys of course snuggle up. As I am almost asleep I hear a woman scream. I shoot up out of bed in an instant. I quickly slip in my house shoes and I'm headed down the stairs. The boys are standing at the top of the stairs watching.

"Call Mitchell and Quinton."
See in most places you would say call the police. But here we actually want someone to show up within an hour. Especially when we hear a woman scream. I snatch my coat as I am heading out the door. I'm throwing it on and hear another scream coming from Michelle's house. I see a car in her drive and know she doesn't have a car. I am racing onto the lawn and she comes out and a guy has his arm around the neck and a gun pointed at her head. As I am seeing this I hear Mitchell's car quickly approaching tires squeel as it comes around the corner. It catches his attention for a brief second and he still hasn't seen me. I have to try. I rush them and out of the corner of his eye he sees me. He quickly points the gun at me and I see the flash.

"Owfffff!!!" I hear come from my mouth as I feel the searing pain as the bullet rips into me. It throws me back and I'm laying on the ground thinking I really like the snow as the flakes are falling onto my face. I'm looking at the sky and see millions of snow flakes falling. I see Jamal and Tremays face in front of me. They are saying something and crying. I cant hear what they are saying. But I smile at them.

"I love you b.......…"

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ericmurpehy1971@gmail.com

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