The Lottery - 5. Chapter 5

“We left a few minutes before 2 pm, which meant we’ll arrive between 5:30 and 6. “When we get to the park, I’d like you boys to check to see if any boys are there. If not, we will move to another place. If you see anyone walking the streets or hanging around a place to eat, and they look hungry, let me know.”

Arriving at the park, the boys left the food truck, I waited. A policeman walked up to the window and wanted to see my permit. I told him I didn’t have a permit. He said I’d need a license to sell food from the truck. I told him I didn’t sell food, “I am here to feed the boys who are living on the street.”

Just then Todd came back to the truck with a boy, “Dad, this is Roger, he’s hungry.”

“Come and give him a sandwich, a carton of milk, and a piece of fruit.”

Then Bob came back with two boys, “Dad, these boys were on the street, begging for something to eat.”

The policeman just looked as the boys were given the food. “Do I still need a license?”

“No, since you aren’t selling, I think you’re okay.”

“Thanks, but you can do something for us. I’ll be here each day at about 6 pm. If you see any of the street kids that need food, send them this way.” He smiled and left. I didn’t know what the results of my words were until the next day.

Todd and Bob worked the area looking for street kids. By the time I was ready to leave, we had served eight boys, not as many as I would have hoped. Maybe I need to change my spot. Todd told the boys about the farm. As I expected, there was some hesitancy on their part. Eventually, they came with us.

Arriving back at the farm, the boys took the new kids under their wing.

The next morning I prepared an elaborate breakfast. I noticed the new boys had showered, and their clothes were a contribution by the boys.

“There were happy faces around the table. “Todd, show the new guys around, including where they can wash their clothes.” I knew they would be shown the pool as the first thing.

“Paul, measure the boys. We need to buy them clothes. I’ll take them this weekend to get their suits, haircuts, and shoes.”

At 2, Paul and Abe joined me on the truck. I restocked the sandwiches, stopped, and picked up a few more cartoons of milk, and we were on our way. As I drove to the park, I saw a line of boys with two police officers.

The officer who was there the night before just smiled, “Do you have enough?”

“I laughed, “I’ll always have enough.” The boys started to hand out the food. A few boys came back for a second sandwich. Paul began to talk to the boys about coming home with him. I was hoping that the tents were up.

We took the boys in the food wagon. They had to sit on the floor. I still didn’t have room for all of them. I gave those extra sandwiches, “I’ll be back tomorrow for the rest of you. Stay in the area, so I’ll be sure to get you.”

Arriving home, the boys took over. The next morning after breakfast, I loaded the new boys in the truck, haircuts and then clothes shopping, this time, I had help. The sales staff pitched in, and in no time, the boys had everything except their suits. The next stop was the men’s store where my original boys got their suits. Again we were helped by the sales staff, lots of smiles.”

“Driving home, I placed an order for 15 large pizzas. They said they would deliver, that was fine with me. I dropped the boys off and headed to the country market. I needed to restock.

When I arrived home, it was evident my refrigerator wouldn’t hold everything. I used the fridge on the truck, some of the items I placed in the basement where it was cool.

“I had a production line going. The boys were making sandwiches. Some were grilling hot dogs. One was heating baked beans. I told him to put them in the oven, giving him a metal pan to hold them. I noticed everyone was smiling. I couldn’t wait until the dorms were finished.

Arriving at the park, there were the boys from the night before and one boy with a girl. Abe went to talk to them. Meanwhile, we were handing out sandwiches, milk, and a piece of fruit. I counted the boys and decided I would take them all. I had room, provided, they sat on the floor.

Abe told me the girl was his sister, and he was afraid for her. I realized exactly why he was worried. So we headed home with a full truck. “Dad, stop! A kid is running after us.”

“I stopped. Abe jumped out and helped him aboard. Now we were loaded. He sat on Abe’s lap while he ate a sandwich.