Surprised party

"Brrr. I really wish we could find a warm place to sleep tonight Jake." The boy shiverrred as he led his dog to an alleyway. As he turned the corner he noticed some musicians exiting a bar. They seemed angry, fighting amongst themselves.

"How can you just up and quit on us now! It's the holidays! Our busiest season. The only time we make money and not just break even." Joe screamed . " I cannot believe you have turned your back on us like this."

"Hey, Joe, I got a better offer. It may lead to a full time gig with an up and coming band. They need a drummer and I can do this! Can't you just be happy for me? Your chance may come any day too!" Jonah yelled back at Joe as he continued to load his car with his drum set. "Damn!" "This piece won't fit. Look, Joe, pass this on to the next guy that joins you. Maybe it will bring him good luck too." With that, Jonah got in his car and headed out to what he hoped was greener pastures.

The boy watched this unfold and wondered. He can play drums. Should he make himself known or just settle down for the night and hope to not freeze? Hmmm......

" Hey!" The boy yelled. " I can play drums!. He bolted in to the courtyard from the alley with Jake at his side.

Joe looked over to see this obviously homeless child run toward them. "What?" "Seriously kid. You come running out of an alley, with torn clothes, covered in dirt and you expect me to believe you ever played the drums, much less played with a band???" Joe turned and started back on to the bar.

" Please mister! Give me a chance. Let me show what I can do. You have nothing to lose and my dog and I can get warm for a little while. Please????" The boy just stood there shivering. His dog whimpered. Who could say no to this pair?

Joe brought the boy and Jake into the kitchen and asked the cooks to allow the dog come through. The boy took the one drum piece that Jonah left behind and was thrilled when he saw other pieces still standing on the stage. He sat down and Jake settled down next to him. He picked up the sticks and started playing. Joe watched from off stage and was more than a little surprised. This young kid may just be the answer to a prayer. And so, the boy and Jake spent the evening on stage and after the performance they were well fed and washed up in the men's room. They were even offered to bunk with Joe at his place. 'What a wonderful night this has been the boy thought. Nothing short of a miracle. He reached down and hugged his friend Jake.

The next morning Joe woke the boy and fixed breakfast. He gave him some clothes that the landlady brought and handed him a slightly large coat, a hat and some gloves.

"Put these on. You will be needing them." said Joe.

"Why? Where are we going?" The boy asked.

"We were asked to play at a Christmas party. It's on a farm but it has a heated garage and they are having a few neighbors over. Sounds as if we will play a few of our tunes and then a few Christmas carols. Easy job, great money and home before Christmas tomorrow. Speaking of tomorrow, do you have a place to stay or have you been homeless? Come to think of it...do you have a name? Funny, I just never asked as it did not seem to matter. Joe looked at the boy and shifted his weight to one side, awaiting a reply.

"Well, I do not have a place to live. Jake and I having been doing okay on the streets though. As far as my name, I don't know my real name. It has been so long since anyone has spoken to me, I just kinda forgot what it was." I named Jake when we met up. I don't think that is his real name." The boy looked away and around, obviously umncomfrortable with this conversation. He was afraid Joe might decide they should part ways after all.

"Okay then!" Joe stated as he ran his hand through his head. " How about you stay with me at least until we figure out what our band is doing. Guess I will just call you Boy for now, till you come up with a name you like. Let's get going so we can find this place in the daylight. Snowfall is expected soon." With that, Joe turned and headed out for the car, the boy and Jake following close behind.

TThe party was a huge success. Compliments and lots of tips were given to the band. Great food and lots of it, even left overs were given to the band to take home with them. The boy planned on leaving the food in the alleyway when they got back. Plenty of folks living there that cpuld use some good food. Maybe he could buy them a hot meal with his pay. As the boy was dreaming of what he would do with his pay, he suddenly was thrown forward in the back seat. "What's the matter?" The boy yelled as he grabbed Jake,

" There's a man standing in the road! Joe replied. " He's waving us down, Stay in the car until I see what he wants." Joe got out of the car and started talking to the man.. They walked back to the car and the man got in the backseat. Jake licked his face. Must be he is trustworthy, the boy thought. The man looked at the leftover food and his stomach growled. The boy recognized that look. He handed the man his food and the man qucickly ate half of it. He asked if he could give his wife the rest. "Of course ." said the boy, memories of his own hunger flooded his mind. He was truly blessed meeting Joe. The boy then reached into his coat and discreetly put his tip money into the man's pocket. He would find it later, when he needed it, thought the boy.

"This mans wife is in need of a ride to the hospital. We are going to go pick her up." Joe said as he sped off in the direction the man showed him. They pulled up to an old barn and ran in. On the floor lay a woman. "She's giving birth!" Exclaimed Jake. "We cant move her now. Sir, hold your wifes hand, the boy will get some blankets in the tack room, The boy no sooner came back with the blankets and a baby boy was placed in one and given to his mother.

" Thank you seems so little to say to you, but your kindness will never be forgotten. We truly appreciate your help with the birth of our son. For you to be on this road on Christmas Eve at just the right time...." The mother trailed off as tears spilled over her eyelids. " We have been traveling a long time and stayed here the last 2 days so we could stay fairly warm and dry. I guess the baby didn't want to miss out on Christmas. " Joe blushed and laughed then he and the man loaded mother and baby into the car. The boy and Jake beside her with Jake's head resting on the mother's lap keeping her warm.

AAfter dropping the new family at the hospital, the boy turned to Joe and said, "Thank you Joe". You truly are a kind man and I appreciate all you have done for me.

" No problem boy." You helped me out with your drumming skills...." Joe stopped talking, smiled and turned to the boy. He then ssid, " Kind of funny that we were there for the birth of a baby boy, in a barn, on Christmas morning and.... You are a drummer boy!" Joe started laughing and the boy smiled and stared out the window, Joe truly was a good man.

"