More Than a Kiss(Patrick McGoey) More than a Kiss


She stood there on the sidewalk in the rain thinking 'how did it come to this? I'm homeless. I have no one. I have nothing. What is happening to me?' She had been making bad decisions based on the next 'fun' thing that came to mind. The last guy she had been with left her at home so much, she had to get out just to kill the boredom. He was always gone at night hanging out with his friends. She sat at home and waited, night after night. Finally she left. Maybe there was something better out there than just a house, food, car and all this time on her hands. That choice led her to the point where she didn't know what to do next. Now she was lost in life, cold, wet, and standing in the rain with no where to go.

'What do you do now?' she thought as people walked by. She didn't even bother to look up. She had begged for help and sometimes someone would give her enough to get by for another day, but she was losing her faith in humanity. The only ones who would look her in the eyes were the children, but usually their parents would pull them in close and walk on by. Who could blame them. Dirty, smelly, disheveled and standing in the shadows didn't paint a Rockwell portrait of 'Guess who's coming to dinner'. What next? She would do anything for a meal. A cold burger and fries sounded like heaven. In fact it wasn't below her to shyly creep up to the outdoor tables looking for what others had left behind, but on a rainy night there would be none.

“She's just standing out in the rain?” the womans voice echoed back. “Yes, yes she is,” Beatrice said in a frail voice. “I am just so worried about her, but I can't make it out there with my walker.” she said shakily. “That's ok Beatrice. We thank you for helping. We'll send someone out to see if we can talk her into going to the shelter,” she paused. “Thank you again,” the woman said. Beatrice had seen this before and it broke her heart. She hung up the phone with a sigh. She understood what it felt like to be alone, to be afraid, not knowing what was going to happen next. Thank God for Al.

She had met Al just outside her door a few years back as he walked past her house. She was getting the mail, and he was coming down the street. She said hi, he smiled and kept right on walking briskly by, happy to be alive. She would see him now and again walking up and down the street, and sometimes he would stop for some of her small talk. One day she invited him in for some lunch. He was a joy to be around, and after awhile, after many lunches, they decided they liked being together more than being apart, and he moved in. Beatrice wondered about this one's story. There were so many like her around town.

Sometime after ten o'clock the rain stopped, and Stacy pulled up slowly along the sidewalk. She rolled down her window and proceeded to chomp down on the double bacon cheese burger. She knew what she was doing. “Wow, this is really good,” she smiled at the figure sitting on the cement porch under the stoop. “You know the lady that lives here called us,” Stacy said, and then took a big bite of the burger. A barbecue bacon cheese burger cannot be dismissed so lightly, especially from a very hungry street urchin. “I got another here.” She lifted the bag, it swayed with the weight of the burger and fries. The silent shadow walked out into the light. “Wow” exclaimed Stacy, “You look like you need some help. Come on, get in, have a burger, I know a place where you can get in out of the rain, and get cleaned up.” Stacy talked to her just like she was an old friend. Stacy reached over, opened the door, and asked her again to get in. The smell of the burgers and fries was too much and she climbed into the front seat. She rushed opening the bag, wolfing down the warm tasty meal. Stacy remarked. “Hmmm, you were really hungry.” Stacy had the heater on, and it felt really good to be out of the cold.

“Hello is Beatrice there?” Stacy asked. “Yes this is Beatrice. Who is this?” she responded with a soft child like voice. “This is Stacy. I am the one who came out last night and picked up the female that was hanging around outside your house last night. The shelter sent me,” she said. “Yes,” said Beatrice, “I saw a car park in front, was that you? Is she all right?” she questioned. “Yes, she is doing fine. The thing is, we don't have any more room down here. I had her with me last night, but I need to find a place she can stay. Please don't say no yet, it is only for one day and night. We can reimburse you!” Stacy paused. “Just let me bring her by to meet You first, ok?” she asked. There was quiet stillness. “Beatrice?” Stacy called out. “Yes, I um, I'm still here.” she said in a shaky voice. “I don't know, I don't know her, what if she is trouble, I am old, I can't move fast anymore. I, uh, I just don't know!” Beatrice pleaded. “Well that will be alright. If you meet her and you don't like her, or you have any reservations we won't stay. Only if you feel comfortable. Her name is Lily and I have promised her that there is a way she can get back to a regular life, somehow. This might be the start Beatrice,” Stacy said. 'Oh what will Al say', she thought. 'But that poor soul, she does need help'. “Well, ok, just to meet her then,” Beatrice said. “Oh thank you Beatrice, thank you so much, you are wonderful.” Stacy chirped. “How about we come by in, say, an hour, would that be good?” she asked. “Yes. That will be fine. I will tidy up a bit here first,” Beatrice added, with a sound of excitement in her voice.

Stacy and Lily arrived within forty five minutes. Beatrice was slowly picking up the house, it was hard work with her walker. Al was in the back room, the TV was on. Al was spry but hard of hearing, so he didn't hear Stacy knock on the door. Beatrice answered the door and invited them in. Stacy and Lily walked into the house. Lily looked around sheepishly not knowing what to expect. Beatrice smiled and said. “Hello, I'm Beatrice. Let me get Al and introduce you to him.” Lily looked around keeping quiet. “Al, Al honey. Come on in here, I want you to meet someone,” Beatrice said as she shuffled towards the back room.

Al slowly came walking out until he noticed Stacy and Lily. Al quickly walked up to Lily. Lily stood still. Al sniffed Lily's rear end. Lily pulled away, then slowly sniffed Al's tail and they circled each other. Beatrice had the biggest grin on her face, and noticed that Lily was wagging her tail a little. Lily felt more relaxed and walked over to Beatrice, looking up smiling. Al was smiling, Stacy was smiling, and Beatrice was smiling. Lily was starting to look the place over, sniffing and exploring. “My she has good manners,” Beatrice remarked. “I thought she might be more rambunctious but it looks like she is well behaved,” she said. “So what do you think Beatrice? Should Lily stay a day or two?” Stacy asked. Beatrice smiled, paused, then blew Lily a kiss. “Of course she will.”

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