THE GIFT OF THE MANGE

He lay there, freezing, wrapped in blankets wet from the falling rain. Miserable, he cursed under his breath as he thought of another night in this mess. Why couldn’t the weather cooperate and let him have just one dry night? He’d even settle for keeping the cold as long as the rain would stop.

Pulling the blanket around himself a little more, he made do with the soggy thing, and tried to keep the drafts down. No use! He just couldn’t get comfortable. After a while, he just got up and wandered down the street, looking for a dry spot – someplace with an overhang, perhaps a doorway, or some other little cubbyhole.

With his jacket and hat on he wasn’t too uncomfortable, but the cold affected his hands, which didn’t have gloves, and the rain settled in around his neck, keeping him just a little too cool.

Morning finally got there, and he went over to the mission, looking for some food. Standing in line for a while, he was finally able to get some warm food into him, and that made him feel so much better. He checked, and they had already booked all the beds for that evening, so he was going to be out on the streets again tonight!

Leaving the mission, he went out to retrieve his wet blanket and clothes, and was going to try and dry them out so tonight would at least start more pleasantly. He shoved it all into his backpack. Hopefully no rain tonight, he thought! Digging into his pockets he found a few quarters and dimes, just enough to throw these things into a dryer. So he headed for the laundromat, and an hour of drying time.

After the blanket and clothes were dried, not washed, but at least dry, he packed it all back together and strapped the bag on his back for the day.

Walking down the street, he noticed something on the sidewalk, and checking it out, he found a bill stuck to some gum. Grabbing it, he realized the bill was a twenty, and thought what a great deal – maybe he could buy something good today! So he stuck it in his pocket and headed for McDonald’s where he could wash up, use the restroom, and maybe get some lunch.

Entering the restroom at Mickey D’s he used the stall to hang his bag, relieve himself, and get ready for the rest of the day. Exiting the men’s room, he realized that he wasn’t such a mangy dude today, and he had bucks! Yep, for Rick, it was going to be a great day!