This is the fifth part in a series, so if you have not already done so, you might want to read Part I, Part II, Part III, and Part IV before continuing.
A few days later I was sitting outside those golden arches again, waiting for someone’s generosity to kick in, when I saw the boy approaching with a woman holding his hand. It struck me that the boy was too old to have his hand held, but maybe that was just the impression he gave.
I felt oddly embarrassed as they approached, although I couldn’t put my finger on why. The boy already knew where I slept. Embarrassment is for people with pride, and I had lost the last shred of mine ages ago. At least, I thought I had.
As they approached, I looked around for somewhere to hide to avoid this awkward encounter, but it was too late. The boy was already pointing at me and smiling. As he did, the woman looked at me and I saw her initial friendliness replaced by wariness. She tried to cover it up, but I had seen that expression too many times not to recognize it for what it was.
“This is the man that gave me the Happy Meal prize,” said the boy.
I couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm over something so small.
The woman’s face moved back to friendly – even pleased, which was an expression I was not used to seeing directed my way. “Oh, that was you,” she said with a genuine smile.
“Yes, ma’am,” I said with a nod. “Someone was kind enough to buy me a Happy Meal. I had no use for the toy, and your son here was nice enough to give me a blanket, so I thought he might like the toy.”
“Oh, so that’s where that blanket disappeared to,” she said, turning on her son.
“He needed it more than we did,” the boy said with a shrug. “And you’re always saying how important it is to give to those who have less than we do.”
“That’s true,” she said, but with an expression that said she didn’t like having her words thrown back at her.
She turned back to me and said, “Well, thank you for the toy, Mr. …” She trailed off as she waited for me to fill in my name for her.
“You can just call me Charles.”
“Well, thank you Charles. Michael certainly appreciated it.”
I nodded and smiled.
After another awkward moment, she said, “I’m Samantha, by the way. Sam for short.”
“Pleased to meet you Sam.” I turned to the boy, “And pleased to finally make your acquaintance, Michael.”
He nodded in return before Sam swept him into the restaurant.
On their way out, Michael dropped a Happy Meal into my lap.
To be continued…