One Page of the Adventure Book

The sound of my tent unzipping caused my neighbors to stir in theirs. We have a rule out here, keep to yourself and stay quiet. None of us want any problems with each other or anyone else for that matter. I peered out of the small opening to see what the weather conditions were this morning. Snow. Just what I was afraid of. I slowly zipped up my tent trying to be as quiet as possible. On nights like last night it's hard to fa

ll asleep and even harder to stay asleep. Curling back up in my spot that was still warm from before, I try to drift off.

I used to love the snow. I remember bundling up in my winter gear complete with a hat and gloves just to go outside and play in it. I would play until I couldn't feel my hands anymore. My Grandma would call out for me to come into the house heated by a wood burning stove. Even though I would ask to stay out and play for five more minutes I would get the same answer "You will catch your death of a cold if I let you stay out any longer." I would reluctantly come inside but would find a nice hot cup of cocoa with marshmallows floating on top waiting for me by the fire. Channeling these memories keeps me warm out here. They are often what I think of as I go to bed.

A coffee shop a few blocks away from where I took up shelter offered me a position giving me hours here and there a week. Cleaning up the shop and helping ring up the customers. It's not a lot but it helps me be able to get food and necessities. I've been working with them for close to a year and have made some pretty good friendships. A big part of me feels like I'm betraying them by not telling them that I'm homeless. I keep myself pretty well groomed and clean. If you saw me you wouldn't think of a typical homeless person. There is a gym that opens up its showers twice a week to those who are in need. I'm thankful to them, they don't have to do that but they chose to. I go to the laundromat quite frequently so I always have clean clothes and bedding. So like I said, you couldn't tell I'm homeless just by looking at me.

Taking out my shoes from the little bin and putting them on I look around my tent, seeing all of my possessions fitting in such a small space actually gives me a sense of comfort. Standing outside my tent zipping it up I can’t help but to shiver as the cold winter wind blows through my hair. It got colder this morning, you can tell by the sound the frozen snow makes when a fresh set of footsteps meets the ground. Grabbing at my shoulders with the opposite hands I make my way to the coffee shop to start my shift.

“Hi Silver, I’m so glad you made it in. I was afraid you wouldn’t be able to come on the account of the storm.” my coworker, River said as she looked around a customer.

“A little snow isn’t going to keep me from coming into work.” I replied while hanging up my coat. “ Are we short handed today?”

“Yes, Jill couldn't make it out of her driveway. I offered to have Gavin pick her up in our truck but she decided to just use a sick day.”

“I don’t blame her for not wanting to risk it, she has her kids she needs to think about too.”

“Yeah that’s what I told her. Do you think you can jump on the bar and make a few of the call in orders?” River said while handing the customer's their receipt. “Thank you for your order. Have a wonderful day.” she said to the customer.

Sliding behind the counter I wash my hands before I start making orders. The sound of the bells on the door alert me that someone is entering the building. Shutting the water off with the paper towel I used to dry my hands I turn to see who walked in. A short and stout man with grey hair and a briefcase approaches the counter. River quickly greets him. “Hi welcome to MyCoffee Needs Cafe, how can I brighten your day?”

“Hello, yes, I am here looking for a Miss Silver Jane Richardson. Is that you?” the man said reading off a piece of paper in his hands.

“Oh, Uh- no. I’m River Sanchez.” She looks over at me with a twist in her face. “What do you want Silver for?” She asked looking back and the man.

“I’m sorry but that is confidential and I can’t say if you’re not Miss Richardson. This is the only known place she’s worked and we don’t have a home address for her. Are you sure she doesn't work here?”

Knots formed in my stomach as I watched this conversation happen. “Hi, I think you’re looking for me. I’m Silver, how can I help you?” I said stepping out from the counter.

“It’s very good to meet you Miss Richardson. My name is Ben Brown”

“Please call me Silver.” I said motioning him to sit down at the table next to us. “Can you tell me what this is about?”

“Well first I need to be sure that you are in fact who you say you are. Do you have a photo ID?” I grabbed my ID from my wallet I keep in my back pocket. “Ah, very good. We’ve been trying to track you down for quite some time now. I’m sorry to say that your Grandfather Hunter Richardson has passed away.”

“My Grandpa? Oh goodness, I haven't heard that name in a very long time. Thank you for telling me. Do you know how he passed” reaching up to rub my arm for comfort I looked over at River who was sure to keep her eye on me from across the shop.

“He was sick for a while, he passed away comfortably in the night.”

“I’m sorry you had to be the one to tell me. I’m just confused. I haven’t talked to anyone in my family for a couple of years. They don’t even live in this state. Why did you travel all the way over here to tell me something you could have called the shop for?”

“I need to tell you that just because your Father and Mother cut you out doesn’t mean your other family did. Your grandfather left you part of his inheritance. Not all of it and some are quite upset that he even left you this amount.”

“That doesn’t surprise me that they are upset. I chose to leave the family business and they warned me that this would happen. Grandpa and I were always close, I’d be happy with even a stamp from his stamp collection.”

“Well… it’s not a stamp. Mr. Richardson left you, Silver Jane Richardson $20,000.00 and the contents of this manila envelope. Here is my card if you have any questions. Now I must be going so I can beat the storm before it gets too bad.” He stood up and pushed in his chair. I can’t believe what he just told me.

“Wait, Mr. Brown.” He turned to me. :Thank you.” I said holding the envelope close to my chest in a hug.

“You’re very welcome Miss. Richardson.” with that he left the shop.

I waited to open the envelope until I got to my tent. Breathing the crisp cool air while staring at the envelope lying before me. Placing my hand on it, I slowly open it and dump out the contents. I find; one old gold pocket watch. The memories of me sitting on Grandpa's lap and him teaching me how to tell time on that watch flood my mind. One of my Grandpa's favorite cigars that he never smoked but just held in his hand. I remember pretending to be a big important business woman sitting in his high back chair at his desk with a non smoking cigar in my hand. Along with a little black book and a note in it. “Dear sweet Silver, let this little black book be the start of your adventures. Write them down. Keep them for yourself or share them with the world. Know that we love you just as we love all our other grandchildren. Thank you for being unique. We have missed you these past years. Grandma could always use help at the house if you ever want to visit. Keep her in your thoughts as she goes through this difficult time. Love, Grandpa Richardson.” After reading this, I know what I need to do.

It didn’t take long to pack up my things after I decided to go back home and see my Grandma. The journey to get to her was smoother than I thought it was going to be. As I stand on the doorstep of the house that always meant home to me I muster up the courage to ring the doorbell. I pressed it. “Ding-Dong- Ding-Ding-Dong”. I could hear high heeled footsteps approach the door. I could feel the uncertainty fill up in my chest as I waited to be greeted.

The door opens and I see my curly white haired grandmother on the other side. “Yes… Sil… Silver?” she asked while opening the door wider.

“Hello Grandma. I received a note from Grandpa, Can I come in?” with a smile on her face ushering me in we closed the door behind me.

“I knew that you would receive the letter. Welcome home dear. Please, can I get you anything?” She asked while grabbing my hands and pulling me to sit down with her.

“I’m okay grandma, I’m sorry about Grandpa, I’m sorry I wasn’t here. I wish I could have been here to see him before he passed.” Tears welled up in my eyes as I saw the sweet softness in her expression she had always given me.

“Oh sweet Silver, it was his time. He had been sick for a very long time. His only request was to be sure that we got you home where you belong. Thank you for coming.”

It felt like I had never left. Being brought up in a wealthy family I was always different. I didn’t like the mentality of some of my relatives and I didn’t want to be someone that I’m not. I decided to go be someone completely different. I needed a fresh start. I told my grandpa before I left that I was going to go out and find my new adventure. That one day I too would have a little black book of all the things I have done. I just didn’t know it would have taken him passing to start the adventure I was dreaming of. With me having been homeless, I decided to use my $20,000.00 for good. With the help of my Grandma I started the Hunter Richardson foundation, we help homeless men and women get back on their feet. We help them with resumes, skill classes, we help them understand the other resources out there to help them. My new adventure is to spread goodness and help as many people that are needing and wanting it. That is just one page in my adventure book with what I'm sure is many more to come.