The King of Bad Decisions - 18

The dogs began barking furiously, announcing the doorbell would soon ring. Marianne opened the door to see her 19 year-old neighbor, Gabriel, standing in the doorway.

"They put all my stuff on the front porch. I guess they kicked me out again." His dark hair hung over his eyes, making him look even sadder.

"I don't know what I did! I guess I wasn't supposed to say anything about the new van. That's the only thing I could think of that I did." He entered the living room, working his way past two big wagging dogs, and sat down in the old blue recliner. The chair rocked with his nervous tension.

"Is this my time? I know you were saving me for a last resort." Marianne Shelton had watched the young boy grow from an apathetic middle school student to an unemployed, homeless adult. He had yet to secure a job. He had passed his GED over a year before, but still hadn't found a job. He was interested in auto mechanics, but interest didn't guarantee a job. Now he didn't even have a roof over his head.

"Ms. Shelton, I think I need to stay with you for awhile, if it's still okay."


(more to add . . . to be continued)