It wasnt a particularly cold night, especially for a January winter.

But, it was cold enough for May to feel shivers slowly racking through
her entire body.

May curses herself for deciding not to bring her purse to her
friends party that night. Shed been casually dancing and having fun
when she realised her ride had bailed on her in favor of going home
early. She made a mental note to probably strangle her best friend half
to death the minute she sees her again.

So now she was heading home, flat broke, without any money to
even catch a bus. Without a single cent on her, all her credit cards at
home, shes left with no choice but to resign herself to a long walk home.
May could ring Alex, but she wont. Her dopey giant of a roommate had
talked nonstop about the hottest party you wouldnt want to miss for the
past week. And to be fair, May was pissed enough to take a long,
freezing walk home instead of calling for help from someone who
ditched her at a party alone.

Wrapping her fur jacket further around herself to combat the chill,
May trudges down the street. A sudden bolt of lightning that was swiftly
followed up with a crash of thunder makes her realise that she is
definitely in for a challenging walk home, as rain suddenly appears to
pour down. At that very instance, a gust of wind blows the rain straight
into Mays face, soaking her thoroughly.

Perfect! she throws her hands up in a dramatic gesture of

disbelief and impatience, and makes her way to the end of the street.
Theres a small archway there, she remembers, that could probably
provide some kind of shelter until the rain wore off. Shed get
hypothermia before she made it halfway if she tries to walk home in
these horrid conditions.

She speeds up her steps, boots splashing in the rain as she darts
around the corner. As she rounds it, she trips over someones foot, just
barely catching herself to avoid face-planting on the ground. That would
have been the icing on the cake, just to top off her day.

My apologies, a deep voice mutters. I hadnt expected anyone to

be out in the rain, much less around this area.

May glances down towards the voice to see a man in a worn out
winter coat, his legs outstretched under the archway. He has a kind face
although his eyes reflected a kind of sadness that May hadnt seen
before. Hes quite dirty, but not to the point where he reeks of bad odour.
Those two things alone, never mind the bony wrists that stuck out the
sleeves of the coat, were enough to tell May that the guy is homeless.

Oh, its fine, honestly, May waves off the guys apology. This
brunette man clearly has it worse off than May, at least she can warm up
when she gets home. This guy has no home to go to at all. It makes May
suddenly feel a little more appreciative of what she had. Do you mind if I
stand here for a bit? Keep out of the rain?

The homeless guy shifts along, bringing his knees up towards his
chest and makes some room for May to sit on his old mat. Sit down, he
looks up and May feels a little taken aback by his bright blue eyes, lit up
by another flash of lightning.

Im really sorry about bothering your, uh, space, she gives him an
awkward smile.

The homeless guy laughs. Its hardly my space. Its a public area.
I could tell it was going to pour, and this is the nearest shelter available.
Looks like we both had the same idea, he pauses for a moment. Ben.
My name, he offers.

Im May, she smiles and nods at him.

So what are you doing out in the rain? Ben asks.

I went to a party without my purse and my roommate, who was

also my ride, decided to ditch me, May explains. So I cant afford to get
a cab or a bus.

So uh do you mind if I ask? she breaks the silence.

Why Im homeless? Ben queries knowingly, with a small smile.

Sure. I moved to New York after graduation and have been living from
paycheck to paycheck. But, I recently lost my job so I couldnt afford to
pay off my rent, and here I am.

May feels a pang of pity for the poor guy. Hed clearly been dealt a
bad hand, and yet he was still smiling. Its a remarkable feat, and while
he doesnt say so, May thinks Ben is possibly one of the bravest people
shes ever met.
 Wow, that really sucks. I wish there was something I could do for
you.

Bens head turns to look at May for a long moment, as if he was

judging whether the words were true. Soon, he fumbles around one of
his pockets and pulls out a few crumpled dollar bills, which he hands to
May.

Here, he begins. Its all I have, but it hopefully should be enough

to get you home.

May looks at the money but doesnt take it. She couldnt believe it,
that a homeless man with what looks like five dollars to his name, is
actually offering a complete stranger those five dollars to get him home.

I cant take that, its your last. You should use that to get
something to eat for yourself. Or some coffee, its going to be a cold
winter.

Still, Ben isnt perturbed, and he pushes the money towards May,
presses it into her hand and refuses to listen to her objections. Its okay.
Im going to be out here regardless. One of us might as well be warm. Ill
have more money tomorrow and Ive already had a big sandwich today,
he tries to assure May.

And hey, if you ever see me again, feel free to pay me back, Ben
adds with a small smile.

Its clear from his face that he isnt expecting to see May again,
and the fact that hes still willing to part with all the money he had in the
world makes Mays chest ache with pity. She looks down at the money in
her hand and swallows, eyes slowly starting to well up.

Ben are you sure?

The homeless man fixes her with a look. Of course Im sure. You
seem like a lovely girl. Go on. Catch your bus home.

For the first time, May finds herself struggling for words and she
takes the money, a lump in her throat. This is the kindest anyone had
ever been to her, at least outside of her own family.
 Where will you be tomorrow? May asks eventually, looking up
and meeting Bens eyes. Ill come and pay you back, I promise.

Ben laughs quietly. I suppose Ill wait around here, he shrugs,

looking at May briefly and pulling his blanket up to his chest. I dont
have anywhere better to go. I hope Ill see you tomorrow, May.

The look on his face is enough to make May swear to herself that
she would find Ben tomorrow and return every cent back, with interest.

She makes a decision, and makes a couple of calls on the bus.

Ignoring the fact that its late, and people will be in bed, she calls her
uncle and tells him about Ben. He needs a job, Uncle Joe. Any kind of
work, thats all Im asking for. He seems like he had everything and then
lost it all. The guy deserves a chance.

After a little persuading on Mays part, Uncle Joe agrees to give

Ben a job, pending a trial period. If hes honest and works hard, May,
the guy can stay.

When she gets off the bus, she sees the car safely parked in the
drive. She assumes that Alex is nice and warm in bed by now. She
hurries inside, not even waiting to kick her boots off while she looks for
her car keys and purse.

May? What are you doing?

She jumps a little at the sudden interruption and spins around to

see her roommate all clad in pyjamas.

Alex, do you mind if I bring someone home to spend the night?

Realising how that sounds, May amends her statement. A guy. I mean,
a homeless guy. Look, I know how it sounds, but he just gave me his last
five dollars just to help me get home, and hes had a bad life, Al, you
dont even know the half of it

Alex cuts her off by raising a hand. Its late, and I really dont want
to know. If youre sure this guy isnt going to rob us blind in the middle of
the night, then sure. She hands May the car keys, and May completely
forgets that she wanted to murder her roommate just a while ago.

Thanks, Al. May smiles at her and races off to the car.
 It isnt long before shes back where she met Ben, pulling up at the
side of the road. Its still raining, but May doesnt care, she just gets out
of the car and hurries over.

May? Ben blinks in surprise, looking from May to the car. I

thought youd be home by now. Why are you here?

May holds out five dollars she fished out of her purse. I came to
bring you this back. She immediately blurts out, Come back to my
place, as Ben reaches out to take it in confusion.

I made some calls. My uncle, he works at a salvage yard, he said

hes willing to give you a job as long as you pass a trial period, May
explains. Im sure its not what youre used to, itll be a lot of heavy
lifting, but hell pay you fairly.

When Ben doesnt say anything, May continues, talking quickly so

she can get everything out. And you can stay with me tonight, you can
have the spare couch until we sort something out. Just until you can get
back on your feet.

I dont expect anything in return, she adds hastily.

Why are you doing this? Ben asks. I dont understand why you
would do this for me, I Im nobody, you dont even know me.

May softens, and kneels down beside Ben. You dont know me
either. And you gave me the last money you had so that I could get
home. She offers her hand, What do you say?

Bens eyes are filled with tears, and he gratefully accepts her hand.
She straightens up and helps Ben to his feet.

Shes not expecting the hug that comes from nowhere, but she
hugs him back anyway and smiles, Its the least I could do. Seriously.
Lets get you home, hmm?

Its not Bens home, but May doesnt even notice the slip. She just
helps him into the car and drives back to her place, showing Ben the first
act of kindness hed known in a long time.

Three months later, Ben works for Uncle Joe full time as a fully
trained mechanic. Another three months after that, May disappointedly
finds out that Ben has quit the job after doing so well for himself.

One morning, May is stuck in a jam on her way to work when she
notices a familiar, but sharply-dressed man walk into a building she
never stopped to notice before. She doesnt notice shes crying until she
feels a tear rolling down her cheek.

Bens Shelter for the Homeless

She thought about how this might not have been possible if Ben
didnt offer all his money for May to get home. And it hit May then, how
one meagre, small act of kindness could impact not only a single person,
but probably even a whole community in need.

(1997 words)