365 Days (Part 1) | ✓

110. Country Mouse

110. Country Mouse: Write about someone who grew up in the country visiting the city for the first time.

Sometimes it was hard to see the sky.

I mean in a both literal and figurative sense. In San Antonio, Texas, the towering buildings of downtown made those strolling on the sidewalk feel enclosed if they even looked up.

It wasn't something that I particularly enjoyed, not being able to feel the sun. Claustrophobic? Yes, I was.

In my mind, this could be classified as a "big city." Everything just seemed so much more... modern.

But this is what my older sister wanted to do for her birthday, and I was willing to comply to make her happy.

"Havin' fun?" Dad asked, looking over to me, his upper lip covered in mint ice cream from the cone he devoured earlier.

I grinned. "Daddy, you have something on your face."

He acted surprised. "You mean this stuff freezing my mouth is not the mustache I've been trying to grow for forever? Darn."

I rolled my eyes. Dad was just being silly.

"Daddy, who's that?" I asked suddenly.

"Who's what? Oh, him? Look away, Kate," Daddy told me, pulling her along.

"Wait," I protested. "Is he—is he homeless? He is, isn't he?"

Perhaps it was rude to stare. But I'd never seen someone homeless before and the sight intrigued me.

The man across the street was dressed in baggy jeans a few sizes too big, a blue flannel shirt worn around the edges, and an orange beanie. He carried a trashbag over his shoulder and looked horribly thin, like he had been deprived of food for several days.

"Look away, Kate," Dad urged.

"But shouldn't we help him?" I asked, confused. Isn't that what we were supposed to do as good, Christian people?

"No," Dad answered, though he did look slightly guilty. "We'll help someone else later. This man could be an axe murderer for all I know."

Daddy grabbed my upper arm and pulled me along, giving me no choice but to go with him. I looked back, though, and saw him look at me and smile. It was a kind, friendly smile, a bit weather-beaten, but still warm as can be.

I smiled back, but my heart wrenched for him.

"Daddy, I know what I want to do when I grow up," I announced. He looked surprised at my random statement, but played along, apparently glad we were off the subject of the man.

"I want to help homeless people," I said.

A/N: This is an old story... So far, I have 43k words written for CampNaNo. So hopefully I'll get done soon!