At The Strip Mall
The young man had just finished his weekend shopping at the local supermarket. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the parking lot.
As he approached his car, laden with bags, a teenage boy stepped in front of him. This had never happened before.
The boy’s clothes were shabby, and his eyes had a desperate look that he couldn’t ignore. He hated it when beggars came right up to him.
Weekend Shopping
Barry Silverberg adjusted the weight of his grocery bags as he approached his car, the sun was setting and shadows covered the parking lot.
It was his routine weekend shopping, a simple chore that he usually found mundane. Today, however, something unusual happened.
As he was walking to his car, a teenager, seemingly out of nowhere, stepped into his path. He had no idea who the boy was.
Too Many Bags
31-year-old Barry held the brown paper bags in his arms as he walked towards his car. The warm summer air was filled with the smell of fresh-cut grass and distant barbecues.
Suddenly, he heard a hesitant voice behind him. He had to stop and turn to check if the person was talking to him.
Barry turned to see a skinny teenager, probably around sixteen, with tousled hair and wide, earnest eyes. The boy looked both nervous and hopeful, shuffling his feet awkwardly.
A Stranger Approaches
The curious shopper stopped in his tracks. “Yes?” Barry asked, raising an eyebrow. He saw the boy run up to him.
He was definitely young and looked like he was right out of high school. “Excuse me, sir,” the boy said, his voice wavering slightly. “Can I help you with your bags?”
The boy smiled nervously at Barry. He edged closer toward him and stretched out his hand to take his bags. Barry was scared and getting ready to run.
In Exchange For
Barry took a moment to assess the situation. The boy, who introduced himself as Chance Michaels, looked to be about nineteen, his clothes worn and eyes tired but earnest.
Barry hesitated, recalling stories of scams and worse. But something in Chance’s demeanor suggested desperation rather than deceit.
“I mean no harm, sir,” the boy said, shifting nervously from foot to foot. “Can I help you with your bags? In exchange for some food, maybe?”
A Hungry Fellow
Barry hesitated for a moment, taken aback by the sudden request. He scanned the boy’s face, noting the hunger etched into his features.
Compassion stirred within him. “What’s your name?” Barry asked. “Where do you live, kid?” Barry asked, his voice gruff.
“Chance, sir. Chance Michaels,” the boy replied, looking Barry in the eye. “I just need something to eat.” He pointed down the road indicating that he stayed close.
Just Want To Help
Barry studied the boy for a moment, noting his worn clothes and the desperation in his eyes. He felt a pang of empathy.
Barry considered the boy’s request. He had enough food to spare and the boy did seem sincere.
“Alright, Chance. Grab those bags,” Barry said, nodding toward the heavier ones. “Let’s see what we can do.” But he had no clue what he was getting himself into.
Sharing Is Caring
Barry smiled softly. “Well, Chance, I do have some glazed donuts in one of these bags. How about you carry these to my car, and they’re yours?”
As Chance took the bags from Barry, he felt the weight of more than just groceries. He felt the weight of responsibility, the burden of needing to provide.
Although he felt embarrassed asking strangers for help, he smiled and continued with the job. He didn’t have another choice.
Helping Out
Chance’s face lit up with relief as he quickly moved to help. The bags were like feathers to him, he held two in each arm.
They walked quietly towards Barry’s car, the quiet punctuated only by the sounds of traffic and distant conversations.
Barry didn’t know what to say to him, he was slightly afraid, but he wasn’t going to manage carrying all those bags by himself. In fact, Chance had come at precisely the right time.
Making Conversation
The kind man directed the boy with the groceries. “So, what’s your story, kid?” Barry asked, unlocking his car and opening the trunk.
Chance hesitated, shifting the bags in his hands. “I’ve been on my own for a while. Family issues. Just trying to get by.”
There was an awkward silence at Barry’s car, where Chance carefully placed the bags in the trunk. The kind shopper didn’t realize what he had done by befriending Chance.
Being Human
The teenager finished placing all the bags in the trunk and closed it with a bang. “Is it fine like that sir?” he said, smiling at Barry.
“Call me Barry,” he said, standing next to his car. They stood in silence, the sound of happy shoppers mingling with the distant hum of traffic.
There was an awkward silence as they stood there looking at each other for a moment. Then Barry realized that he had forgotten something.
Thanks For Helping
As they stood at the car, Barry opened the trunk again, he had forgotten that the food for Chance was inside there.
Barry rummaged through one of the bags and pulled out a box of glazed donuts. “Here you go,” he said, handing them to Chance.
“Thanks, Barry,” Chance said, tearing open the box and taking a bite. “I haven’t eaten anything sweet in ages.” He devoured a whole donut in just two bites.
A Kind Offer
Barry raised an eyebrow but said nothing, instead focusing on the other people in the parking lot.
He saw a few people give them a side eye. He realized that they must look silly standing in the parking lot eating donuts.
Once the hungry teen had finished his donut, he turned to Chance. “What do you want to really eat now?” He could tell that the boy was still hungry.
A Hot Meal
Barry was kind enough to offer him a hot dinner “Anything, sir. I’m not picky,” Chance replied, his eyes darting to the nearby Taco shop.
Barry nodded, understanding. “Alright. Follow me.” Luckily the taco shop wasn’t too busy so they placed their orders immediately.
Barry noticed that Chance seemed out of place. He got them a table and gave him a menu to look at, “Choose anything you like,” he said warmly.
Like Normal People
Inside the Taco shop, Barry ordered a dozen assorted Tacos and a couple of sandwiches. He ordered chicken and extra hot sauce for everything.
As they waited, he watched Chance out of the corner of his eye. He was quiet and didn’t talk much. As though he was afraid to speak.
The boy seemed tense, constantly looking around, as if expecting trouble. Barry felt sorry for him, it hurt him to see such a bright boy in such a poor situation.
A Ravenous Teen
After a few more minutes, their order arrived. Barry clapped his hands together excitedly. But Barry was still staring out the window.
The kind stranger cleared his throat. “Are you expecting someone?” Barry asked, handing Chance a Taco. He put one on his own plate too.
Chance shook his head, accepting the taco with a grateful smile. “No, sir. Just… it’s a habit.” He immediately bit into his juicy taco and smiled in approval.
Eating Together
The kind man tried to make small talk with Chance. But he wasn’t much for talking, he ate quietly and nodded here and there.
Chance asked if he could have some more. Barry nodded slowly, taking a bite of his own taco. “Where are you staying, Chance?”
“Here and there. Shelters mostly,” Chance admitted, taking a cautious bite of his donut. But something about his answer was shady. Barry didn’t believe him.
What Happened
Barry leaned back in his chair, studying the boy. “Ever think about going back to your family?”
Chance’s face darkened. “Not an option, sir.” He gave him a long, sad story about how his father was absent. “I haven’t seen him since I was ten,” he said with a smirk.
The teenager’s mood seemed to change. Barry realized he was getting upset with all the questions. But he needed to know.
Going Too Deep
Barry tried to find out what he did for money, but Chance acted like he was busy chewing his food. He didn’t answer him.
Barry nodded and smiled sheepishly. It wasn’t easy making new friends. But he felt like he needed to help him.
The tone in Chance’s voice told Barry there was more to the story, but he didn’t press. They ate in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts.
Something In Common
There was a TV on and the odd pair laughed at a few sports reruns. Barry could see that he was a good team player.
“You seem like a good kid, Chance,” Barry said finally. “Why the donuts? You could’ve asked for money.”
He took a bite into his third taco and prompted Chance to tell him more about himself. Chance looked at him, thinking about what to say. But would he open up to the kind stranger?
People Aren’t Nice
Chance shrugged. “Figured it was less likely to get turned down if I asked for food. People are more willing to help if they know it’s not for anything else.”
Barry chuckled softly. “Smart kid.” Chance’s answer was something he had heard before. He actually thought it himself when he first approached him.
The kind man laughed with the kid who told him some quirky stories about helping customers with their grocery bags. But Barry was feeling that they were getting too close.
Done Eating
As they finished their meal, Barry felt a mix of emotions. He was still wary, but Chance had proven to be polite and genuinely in need. “Alright, Chance. Do you need a lift somewhere?”
Chance looked surprised but grateful. “If you could drop me a few blocks down, that’d be great.” He put his hands together.
Barry told him that he would drop him directly at home but Chance refused. “Just down the road is fine sir,” he said with an embarrassed smile.
Can I Help You
They walked back to Barrys car feeling better than before. There was a connection between them.
Barry watched him for a moment, a plan forming in his mind. “You know, I could use some help around the house. It’s nothing fancy, just odd jobs. How would you like to earn some more donuts, and maybe a bit of money too?”
Chance’s eyes widened with hope. “I’d like that, Barry. I really would.” But was he doing the right thing?
About Barry
As they got into the car, Barry told Chance all about his home with five dogs that he couldn’t take care of. Chance said he was great with dogs.
“Great,” Barry said, pulling out a business card from his wallet. “Here’s my number. Call me tomorrow, and we’ll set something up.”
Chance took the card, his hands trembling slightly. “Thank you. I will.” But he didn’t realize what Barry had opened up between them.
Take This
“Here you go,” Barry said, handing him the takeaways. “Don’t forget to call me tomorrow, and I’ll see if I can find more work for you.”
Barry extended his hand, and Chance shook it, his grip firm but not overly strong. “Here’s the food,” Barry said, pulling the box from one of the bags and handing it to Chance. “You did good work. Are you hungry?”
Chance nodded eagerly, taking the leftovers gladly. “Thank you, Mr. Silverberg. You don’t know how much this means to me.”
Keep In Touch
Barry watched him for a moment, then made a decision. “You got a phone, Chance?” He didn’t want this to be the last time he saw him.
Chance pulled out an old, cracked smartphone. “Yeah, I do.” He unlocked it and told Barry that he had a problem charging it.
Barry didn’t mind. “Give me your number. I’ve got some work around my place that needs doing, and I could use an extra pair of hands.”
A Heartfelt Goodbye
Chance’s eyes widened in surprise and hope. “Really? That would be amazing. Thank you so much.” He quickly recited his number, and Barry saved it in his phone.
“Alright, I’ll be in touch. Take care of yourself, Chance.” He got the car into gear to take off and waved goodbye.
Chance’s eyes widened with gratitude. “Thank you, Mr. Silverberg. I will. I promise.” Barry drove off leaving Chance on the side of the road. He hoped that it wasn’t the last he would see of him.
Back Home
The next day, Chance called Barry as soon as he woke up. His mother, pale and frail, lay on the couch in their small apartment, her medication running dangerously low.
“Hello, Mr. Silverberg? It’s Chance,” he said nervously into the phone. He gave his mother her required dose while balancing his cellphone on his shoulder.
“Ah, Chance! Good to hear from you,” Barry replied warmly. “Can you come over to my place? I’ve got some work for you.” Chance had no idea what he was in for.
Make That Call
Chance called Barry as promised. Barry gave him directions to his house and told him to come over in the afternoon. Chance didn’t waste a second.
He rushed over to Barry’s house, a modest but well-kept place with a neat lawn and vibrant flower beds.
When Chance arrived, he was greeted with a smile and a list of tasks to do. Barry greeted him at the door, handing him a pair of gloves and a rake. “I need some help with the garden,” Barry explained. “After that, there’s the lawn to mow.”
Show Them
Chance threw himself into the work, determined to prove himself. He spent hours under the sun, raking leaves, trimming hedges, and mowing the lawn until it looked pristine.
Barry watched from a distance, impressed by the boy’s dedication. Even he couldn’t do such a neat and thorough job.
“You did a great job, Chance,” Barry said, handing him fifty dollars. “Come back tomorrow. There’s more to do.” But he didn’t realize the door he opened for Chance.
A Hard Worker
The days turned into weeks. Chance worked tirelessly for Barry and soon for Barry’s neighbors too. He cleaned gutters, painted fences, and even helped with minor repairs. Each evening, he returned home exhausted but hopeful, clutching his earnings to his chest.
Chance worked hard, helping Barry with yard work, cleaning the garage, and even painting the fence.
Each day, Barry would provide him with a meal and pay him for his work. The more time they spent together, the more Barry learned about Chance’s difficult life.
Green Fingers
Barry’s neighbors were impressed with his tidy garden and wanted to know how he did it. Barry called Chance and arranged for him to come over to do some gardening.
As the days turned into weeks, Barry found more and more odd jobs for Chance, not just at his own house but also with his neighbors.
Lawn mowing, weeding, trimming hedges—Chance tackled it all with a diligence and determination that impressed everyone. Each house paid him separately.
His Mother Asks
One evening, as Chance counted his money at the kitchen table, his mother looked over at him with tears in her eyes.
“Chance, where did you get all this?” she asked, her voice trembling. She picked up a stack of $20 bills.
“Mr. Silverberg gave me work,” Chance replied, smiling. “I’ve been saving up for your medication, Mom. We’re almost there.” She hugged him tightly, whispering her gratitude. “Thank you, my sweet boy.”
Work Pays
A month passed, and Chance had saved a thousand dollars. He felt a mix of pride and relief as he handed the money to his mother.
“We can get your medication now, Mom,” he said, his voice breaking with emotion. She hid it safely in her cupboard.
But the story didn’t end there. Barry, watching Chance’s progress, had more plans in mind.
One On One
One afternoon, as Chance finished painting a fence, Barry called him over. He handed him an ice-cold soda.
“Chance, you’ve been doing an incredible job,” Barry said. “How would you like a more stable position? I have some friends who own businesses. They could use someone as hardworking as you.”
Chance’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really? That would be amazing, Mr. Silverberg!” Barry nodded. “Consider it done. I’ll make some calls.”
Talk To Me
The next afternoon, as Chance was trimming the hedges, Barry brought out some iced tea. But he had an ulterior motive.
“You’ve been doing a great job, Chance. I wanted to ask—why are you working so hard? What’s driving you?”
Chance took a deep breath, then sighed. “It’s my mom. She’s really sick. Cancer. We can’t afford all the medication she needs. I’ve been trying to save up so I can help her get the treatment.”
A Greater Reason
Barry felt a lump form in his throat. “I’m sorry to hear that, Chance. You’re a good kid, working so hard for your mom.”
Chance looked down at his hands, which were calloused from the work. “She means everything to me. I just want to help her get better.”
Barry patted him on the shoulder. “You’re doing a good thing, Chance. Keep at it.” The kind man realized that his efforts to save Chance we’re not going in vain.
Making Money
Weeks turned into a month, and Chance diligently saved every penny he earned. One evening, as the sun set and Chance finished mowing Barry’s lawn, Barry handed him an envelope. “Here, you’ve earned this.”
Chance opened it to find $200. His eyes widened in disbelief. “Mr. Silverberg, this is too much.”
Barry shook his head. “You’ve earned every bit of it. And I talked to some of the neighbors. We’ve all pitched in. We know about your mom, and we want to help.”
A Grateful Mother
Tears welled up in Chance’s eyes. “I don’t know how to thank you. This means everything.” He threw his arms around Barry and hugged him tight.
“You don’t have to thank me, Chance. Just keep working hard and take care of your mom.” He hugged him back.
Chance continued to work for Barry and his neighbors, his savings growing steadily. After another month, he had saved $2,000. He could finally afford the medication his mother needed.
Giving Back
One day, as he handed his mother the money, she looked at him with tears in her eyes. “Chance, I don’t know what I would do without you. You’re my hero.”
Chance hugged her tightly. “I’ll always take care of you, Mom. Always.” He kissed her forehead and promised her that he would take care of her no matter what.
Barry told his mother that his intention was to take care of her, “If it wasn’t for you mom, where would I be today?” Mother and son spent the rest of the evening planning a dream vacation to Florida.
Something Better
The next weekend Chance was back at Barry’s house. Barry watched from his porch as Chance finished up his latest job. “Chance, come here a minute,” he called out. Chance walked over, wiping sweat from his brow. “Yes, Mr. Silverberg?”
“There’s someone I’d like you to meet,” Barry said, stepping aside to reveal a well-dressed man standing next to him. “This is Mr. Hamilton. He owns a landscaping company and is looking for reliable workers. I told him all about you.”
Chance’s heart raced. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Hamilton.” He put his best foot forward knowing it was an impromptu interview.
Meet My Friend
Mr. Hamilton smiled and extended his hand. “I’ve heard good things about you, Chance. How would you like a job at my company? Better pay, and you can keep helping your mom.”
Chance could hardly believe his ears. “I would love that. Thank you so much.” He shook Mr. Hamilton’s hand with pride.
Barry watched with pride as Chance shook Mr. Hamilton’s hand, knowing that the boy’s future was looking brighter than ever. And it all started with a simple exchange of donuts for groceries.
A Working Man
The next week, Chance found himself with a part-time job at a local hardware store, earning enough to support his mother and save for their future.
It took him some time to learn the ropes, but he was enthusiastic to learn. He couldn’t believe how much his life had changed since that fateful day in the parking lot.
Now earning a stable salary, he was able to get a new apartment for him and his mother. It was also closer to the clinic which helped with her health.
Thanks To You
One evening, as Chance sat on the porch with Barry, he looked at the older man with deep gratitude.
“I don’t know how to thank you, Mr. Silverberg,” Chance said. “You’ve changed our lives.” He put his arm around his mentor.
Barry smiled, patting Chance on the back. “You did all the hard work, Chance. I just gave you a little push. Keep working hard, and you’ll go far.” Barry advised him on his next steps to build a financial portfolio.
A Brighter Future
As the sun set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Chance felt a newfound sense of hope and determination.
He had found a life long friend and confidant in Barry. The kindness of one stranger changed his entire perspective about life.
He knew there were still challenges ahead, but with Barry’s support and his own relentless drive, he was ready to face them head-on.