Hope

It was a bitter cold afternoon in the heart of downtown Chicago.  I walked along the pavement past the massive railway tracks as a train came rumbling along.  The street was crowded with cars, all in a rush to get somewhere.  I was on my way to a bakery to pick up a snack before my next audition, my mind focusing on how much time I had to eat and then warm up my vocals and change before I went in. 

I walked two blocks then saw the bakery, dimly lit but standing out with its pastel colors against the bricks and pipes of the other buildings.  A homeless man was standing on the street corner begging for food from all the people coming through the crosswalk.  I looked at his long beard, his brown ripped up jacket and the beanie that covered his head.  There was another man similar to him just across the street as well.  I wondered how they stood the cold; I had a wool coat on and was still freezing.  I went inside and got my food, but upon coming out noticed that the man now had a bag of chips in his hands.  I smiled; at least someone was willing to help him.  I knew I could have easily bought an extra muffin or something to give to him but I hadn’t for some terrible excuse.  I then kept watching as I walked, and saw another homeless man come up to him.  He was wearing a black sweatshirt, and a pair of thoroughly used brown sneakers.  I couldn’t hear what he said, but the other man extended his hand with the bag of chips and smiled.  The man reached in and pulled out a handful while nodding his head.  He thanked the man with the chips and broke into a smile as he continued walking down the street.  I watched for a few seconds as I thought about what had happened, then stumbled into a smile myself.  I still have some faith in humanity.