Getting to Know Homeless Joe

The clouds in the sky looked like fluffy pillows. The air smelled of Lavendar and Bryson was with the girl of his dreams, Tara. This is too good to be true, he thought.

"Bryson! Bryson! Wake up!" Huh??? He rolled over and opened his eyes to find his mother red faced standing over him. "What? " He asked wearily. "Surely you picked up the party tray from the market, right?" He jolted straight up on the bed. It was 1:30 in the afternoon. he was supposed to pick it up at noon. "Oh, gosh Mom! I'm sorry! I was studying earlier and got sleepy!" Actually, he was daydreaming about Tara which caused him to fall into a happy slumber, but his mom didn't need that little detail. Before his mom could react, Bryson had keys in hand and grabbed his windbreaker jacket racing down the stairs, out the front door and into his green 1999 Jeep Wrangler that was given to him by his late father. It was his 16th birthday, and his dad worked on it in his friends' garage until it was sound enough for Bryson to drive. It was bought at an auction so there were some issues that needed tending to. His dad was so proud to give the Jeep to his son and Bryson's reaction did not disappoint. The hugs, jumping, clapping and back flips said it all.

His eyes started to mist upon the recollection. He missed his dad. Horribly. That was a whole year ago. The Jeep meant everything to him. It was dads labor of love, Bryson thought. It was all that was left. Thankfully, he reached the market before he could go into a full-on cry. Mr. Berg the owner, was preparing to close. He saw Bryson through the window. "Ah! You almost missed me! I close at 2. It IS Christmas Eve you know. You were supposed to pick up the platter at noon." Bryson looked around sheepishly. "I know. I got so into my studying that i lost track of time," he said laughing nervously. Mr. Berg laughed and patted Bryson on the shoulder. He turned and continued to shut things down. "Mr. Berg? Do you still have the platter, or did someone buy it last minute," his voice trailed off. He prayed silently, please have it, please have it. "I wouldn't do that to your mother son. Let me go and get it." Bryson breathed a sigh of relief so long it startled him and caused Mr. Berg to chuckle. As he was getting the platter, Bryson noticed that it had begun to snow. Large fluffy looking flakes. He stood mesmerized. Mr. Berg came out with the platter and stood beside him also taking in the snowfall. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" Bryson could only nod. "Well, you'd better get this home to your mom. Drive carefully. It's starting to pick up." "Thank you, Mr. Berg and Merry Christmas!"

"Same to you, kid! Again, drive carefully!" Bryson nodded in acknowledgement as he walked to the car. He jumped in the driver's seat and sped off, already forgetting Mr. Bergs warning.

He figured that his mom would be furious. His aunt and uncle were arriving today to have Christmas Eve brunch at the house. Bryson started berating himself as he drove. Way to go, dude! You only had one job to do, and you couldn't even do that right! Dreaming about Tara was the best thing that happened to him yes, but the timing really stunk. His mind was spinning with thoughts of Tara. In his mind, he and Tara went from dating to married with 2 kids. He had zoned out, not paying attention to the blizzard that was happening around him! The snow was falling heavily. He put the windshield wipers on full speed, but it was if he had none at all. He was trying to slow down when he caught something or someone dart in front of him. "WHOA!" He spun out of control with Tara still in his mind. He reasoned that if he was going to die, he might as well have a pleasant fantasy at least. His Jeep lurched forward and into a ditch. Bryson tried to maneuver out of the rut, but he was completely stuck. "UGGHHHHH," he yelled. He was shaking now. Partly from fear, mostly from the cold. "I need to call mom," he said trying to collect himself. He felt around his jacket and checked the car floor. No phone. What???? It was then that he realized that he left home in such a hurry, that his phone was still on his nightstand. "GREAT! JUST GREAT!!!" He was yelling at the top of his lungs now and boy was it cold!!! He was resting his head on the steering wheel when someone knocked on his window. Tap, tap, tap. "Hello? Are you alright??" Bryson didn't answer. He was cold. He was hungry. He was frustrated. And yet, he was silent. His car door suddenly swung open. "Hey! What are you..." Before he could finish his question, Homeless Joe was pulling him out of the vehicle. "Stop! Leave me alone!" Bryson protested. "You will FREEZE to death out here! I live not too far. C'mon," the man said. "What. Will your tent keep us any warmer," Bryson asked. "Fine then", Homeless Joe said, " I'm staying with you, and we can BOTH freeze! Your mama will be pretty broken up but hey you don't care about that, right?' Bryson couldn't argue. He was being stupid, stubborn and selfish. He took his keys and grabbed the party platter following Homeless Joe to his tent. "We're not far", Joe stated looking back at Bryson. He scoffed at the statement while shivering and checking trees and bushes for a tent. To his surprise, Joe was standing at the door of a small brown home with white shutters! Bryson stood dumbfounded looking at the structure. Joe pulled him inside. The inside was cozy and quite the man cave! There was a small Christmas tree on a table near the window and the fireplace was small but definitely functional. "I'll make us some hot cocoa. Make yourself comfortable. I don't get many visitors," he said smiling a slightly toothless grin. Bryson felt a pang of guilt wash over him. Homeless Joe was not homeless at all. This was a dumb nickname that he and his friend Tucker bestowed upon him while judging his appearance. How lame he thought now and unfair. "Never judge a book by its cover," dad used to say. He felt so horrible, that he let out an audible groan. "You okay," the man asked. "Um, sure. Just....thanks for rescuing me.... Mr.??" " Roger. Just call me Roger and you are welcome." Wow thought Bryson. I was really off. This guy's not so bad. "Ahhhh. The cocoa is ready." He brought two mugs of piping hot overflowing with marshmallows brew to the table. Bryson was still standing, holding on to the platter. " I don't bite. You can sit down", chuckled Roger. "Oh, right," Bryson stammered. "Your Bryson, right?" How did Roger know that? He nodded slowly looking bewildered. " I knew your dad. He was a good man. I miss him." "Wait! What? You knew my dad?" Bryson almost choked on his cocoa. Instead of answering, Roger got up and brought three photos to the table. The first picture was of Roger and Bryson's dad on a fishing trip, the second was of Bryson's car before repairs and the last photo was the after repairs. He gasped. "I helped your dad find your car at auction. We worked on it for 2 months!" Roger sighed. My garage has been pretty boring without projects to work on. Bryson looked out the window to see a garage/shed on the side yard. It was larger than the home! Bryson was overjoyed and he and Roger talked for hours in his small warm home. He apologized to Roger and informed him of the nickname that he and Tucker had given him. Bryson was visibly upset. Roger was gracious and accepted his apology actually laughing about it all. The snow stopped falling but it was still treacherous outside. Roger had a cell phone, and he allowed Bryson to call his mom.

"Bryson!!!!" His mom yelled in the phone, "Are you okay? Where are you, are you hurt?" The questions flew like darts. Roger took the phone. "Sally, it's Roger. Bryson's fine. He's hanging out at my place. He spun out and landed in a ditch. I will help him get the Jeep out in the morning. What's that??? Yes, it's here. Are you sure?? Thank you! Yes, I will tell him. Merry Christmas to you as well!" Bryson's mom was not angry with him. She's thankful that he's safe. His aunt and uncle arrived with a party platter fancier than the one they had ordered and now he and Roger will be feasting on it themselves. Roger was happy for the company and Bryson was excited to know someone who knew his dad. Roger had many stories to share, and Bryson was eager to hear them all. The platter was amazing with meats, cheeses, olives and crackers. It was the best Christmas since his dad's passing and Roger definitely had a great time. The best gift they both received was the gift of friendship. Bryson didn't know why he had never met him before but there was time to fix that. He learned a valuable lesson. You never know about a person until you get to KNOW a person.