Danny received a huge stack of signs and a pull cart, along with thumbtacks and tape. He was given an area to work as were several other people. He began putting up signs on telephone poles, fences, port o potties and anywhere else they would be visible and would catch people’s eyes. While he was putting up a poster outside the hospital, an old lady about 60 years old was wheeled out to the street in a wheelchair by a couple of orderlies. She didn’t seem to be conscious, with her head bobbing every time they hit a bump in the pavement. Danny watched, curiously, as they crossed the street, laid down her coat and then lifted her out of the wheelchair, placing her on the coat on the ground. He stared in disbelief, as the two orderlies wheeled their chair back to the hospital. Danny ran and caught up with the orderlies and asked them, “Why did you leave that old lady on the ground? What are you thinking?” They answered, “We just obeyed orders, as cold as it sounds. She is homeless and can’t continue living in the hospital when she can’t pay for it and we are short beds for people who are really sick.” And they walked off. Danny shook his head and continued on with his job.

Danny continued down that busy street, finding crowds gathering around the signs he had posted. On his break, he stopped to read one of the flyers and was surprised to read that something was actually being done for the homeless. He thought about the soup kitchens, the shelters, human services and other options for the homeless that just weren’t enough and wondered if this new offer would be the solution society needed.

After his break, he continued posting the signs and a policeman passed him, running. He eventually caught up to the policeman to find out what was happening and by that time an ambulance and firetruck were there, as well. The policeman was bent down, holding the hand of a woman who was unconscious on the sidewalk, saying, “Barbara Jean, can you hear me? Barbara Jean, please wake up. Honey, hold on!” And the paramedics walked up and said, “We will take over from here, Officer Walters.”

The policeman stood up with tears in his eyes and watched as they loaded the lady into the ambulance and pulled up a sheet over her head. He took off his hat and looked up, mumbling a prayer for his friend. Danny asked, “Did you know her, officer?”

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Officer Walter said, “Yes, I visited with her every day. I used to bring her food and water. Do you see that little shop on the corner? She used to have a beautiful flower shop in there. One morning she came to work to find someone had looted the shop, destroying all of her merchandise and she wasn’t able to recover from that attack. She had been operating month to month and had no resources to be able to restock the shop. She made it a couple of months, by letting her apartment go and moving into the storage room, but it wasn't enough and the landlord terminated her lease. Since then, she has lived on the streets. Barbara Jean reminded me of my mother. She had no business being out here in the elements. Unfortunately, she had given up on life and a fentanyl dealer took advantage of her situation, telling her the drugs would bring her relief and she got hooked. I’m pretty sure that is what took her life.” He walked off sadly.

Danny looked at his stack of flyers and figured he was about halfway through. He continued down the street. He heard one of his favorite songs being played very loud, ‘Born to Be Wild’ and it kept getting louder as he got closer. There was a vacant lot with tents scattered around and quite a few people hanging out. He saw no less than three drug deals go down in the short time it took him to put up the flyers in the area. The people there were dirty and ragged and Danny found himself thinking about how unhappy they must be and wondering how he would deal with living there. “I wonder if they have all given up on life like Barbara Jean?” he thought.

Officer Walter walked up to him about that time and said, “I have read your flyer and I am interested. If this is real, it just may offer the solution we need so badly. How much do you know about this cruise ship deal?”

Danny held out his hand and said, “Hello, Officer Walter, my name is Danny. I am pleased to meet you. I actually don't know much, I am just putting up the signs. I have to admit I am interested, too, especially after seeing the people in the last block who seem to be totally given over to drugs. Is that common around here?”

The officer looked at him sadly. “It is a lot more common than you might think. If you are truly interested, I can introduce you to some friends of mine.”

Danny nodded and said, “I would like that.”

Officer Walter said, “Follow me.” They walked a few blocks and turned left toward the river.