It was just another day for Ben. He woke up sleeping in his tent, unknown to the rest of the world. It will almost be 2 years since he went homeless, and by this time he did get used to his new normal. It paled compared to what he had but complaining wouldn't get him anywhere. Yawning to himself, he woke up and headed for breakfast.

Fortunately, there was a church around that helped the homeless. A haven he could relax in, even if it were for only a few hours. The food was nothing exceptional, but serviceable. At this point he would eat anything, he had no real qualms. Seeing the many people around him, people in the same plight as him was comforting.

Oi, Ben! Wonderful morning right? He turned his head around to see an older man. He smiled at his upbeat attitude. Despite his problems, the man was still as cheerful as ever.

"Indeed, Brian. A lot better than four days straight of miserable rain."

"Very true!"

"How's your job going?"

"Between you and me, my back is the only part of me that hates it." He lets out a chuckle. "Lifting those damn shingles and going up and down the ladder at my age is a death sentence."

"Well look on the bright side, you are still standing."

"For now," he let out yet another laugh. His face soon grimaced, before letting out his next words.

"I'm sorry about what happened with your job."

"Don't be, I'm used to being let go for stupid reasons. I'll bounce back again with another job soon."

"I could maybe talk my boss into having you help us. He could take one more of us."

"I'll consider it. For now, I would like to find something on my own."

"I'm sure you will Ben." What followed was more small talk while the two men ate. Soon, it was time for everyone to leave, back into the world of being forgotten by most of the general public. Ben got up and began to walk back to his tent. When he got to his tent, he noticed someone else's tent right next to his own. Someone else had moved into his area, he had been given a neighbor. He looked on as the foreign tent's flap opened revealing a young man.

"Hello, camper!" Ben waved his hand at him. The young man in question only grunted.

"I see you aren't much the talker."

"What do you want?" There it was, he had an angsty one to converse with.

"Can't a man make conversation with another man?"

"I'm not in the mood."

"But you are in the mood for camping."

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"I'm not camping."

"So, you ended up in my situation then."

"What the hell are you talking about? Go away, and leave me alone!"

"I wish I could but all I have is this tent. Just like you, right?" The young man's eyes widened. He didn't try to protest or offer a rebuttal, only silent resignation.

"Then, are you here to kick me out? Tell me to scram, and that this place is already taken?"

"No, I'm not going to do that." He approached his tent and took out an outdoor mat. He ushered the young man to sit on it. He slowly did, as both men sat there.

"How old are you, Ben asked."

"18, how about you."

"In 2 months I'll turn 38. What's a young man like you doing out here?"

"Well when your asshole of a dad kicks you out since you are now an adult, and you have no one else to turn to, all I can do is be out here."

"That's understandable. I'm sorry about your situation."

"It doesn't matter, you being sorry doesn't change anything. He let out a long pause before he continued. "I tried to be a good son to him and did my best for some deadbeat alcoholic. And in the end, all I get is scorn and being abandoned. Graduating high school is supposed to be a fun time. For me, it's nothing but one of the worst days of my life, and this is the worst birthday gift ever."

"You are being too hard on yourself. I know you couldn't have done anything so wrong he would outright abandon you the minute he got. I dealt with people like how you describe your dad, they are assholes."

"Then why does it feel like it's my fault?"

"Because you put more stake into the relationship than he did. You cared more than he did, so you still blame yourself even if you now realize how terrible he was."

"Even so, I hate that I care about him."

"I have been in your shoes, I also hate that I care about someone I sacrificed a lot for, only to be left behind and forgotten."

"Were you able to get over it?"

"Not fully." The feelings seem to appear when I don't want them to. I tried to make the most of my situation, but as you can see it isn't much." He let out a mirthless chuckle. "I think back to the life I had before being homeless, all the things I did because I thought it was right. I was sent off constantly, to do a "great" service. I don't regret helping the people I did, or..." His mind clouded, as he heard faint gunshots and screams. The screams melded with noises of big machines clanking throughout his mind. He kept staring off not saying a word. He took his arm and itched it, trying to get rid of something that wasn't there.

"You alright?" The words of the boy snapped him out of his trance.

"Oh, yeah, sorry about that. What I'm saying is feelings can be complicated. Not everything you feel about someone is fully good or-"

"Shit?"

"Yeah, shit. Anyway, when I came back home after everything I had done, things fell apart in every matter. I worked some jobs to stay afloat, but of course, there was no stability. I have been let go for many reasons. Most of them being due to my current status."

"Jee, so much for hope."

"You're younger, you'll make it. And I believe someday I'll be in a better place too." He soon remembered what Brian told him, about a prospective job opening. Listen, I have a friend who can help you with getting a job."

"What is it?"

"Doing work on roofs. You carry shingles up and down ladders."

"Oh boy, how exciting," he sarcastically said.

"Look, you have to start somewhere. The pay might not be good, and it will kill your back. But, it's something."

"Fine, you're right. I might as well do something, better than sitting here on my ass doing nothing. By the way, since I'll probably be staying here for a while, what's your name?"

"Ben."

"Nice to meet you, Ben Kenobi."

"Very funny. And what's your name?"

"Luke."

"Nice to meet you, Luke Skywalker." Even though it was tiny, Ben could see an inkling of a smile on the younger man's face. He didn't point it out, but it was nice.

"Where do I meet your guy?"

"There's a church near here that offers free food for people like us. Come with me later today, I'll introduce you to him." Luke nodded his head, before letting out a yawn.

"I slept like shit last night. I will try to get some shut-eye, wake me when you go to the church." He went back into his tent, as Ben still sat out there, alone in his thoughts once more.