The Least of These.
“For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.”
Foam dripped from his mouth cascading down his beard he knew it was there long ago he had stopped caring what people thought. keenly aware of the state his body was in he entered the restaurant. 40 white faces threw their heads back in laughter at a joke being made they were without a care in the world. most had professional cameras hanging from their necks or strapped to their bodies he stood for a while observing their interaction they seemed different surely, with their wealth on exhibition for all to see they would give him food. his empty stomach churned with excitment maybe today he could forget about digging through trash in search of edible scraps. Stumbling toward the first table of happy white faces he asked for their help they didn’t speak spanish. he picked up a bottle of coke and asked if they wanted to help him out give him a coke his presence was obviously making them uncomfortable making him uncomfortable replacing the coke, he went to the next table. none of the 40 where willing to give up their coke. why did they each need their own? A table emptied to retreive their share of chicken and rice instinct replaced logic he reached out, picking up a bottle of coke along with a cell phone. they were unwilling to give – so he would take. they were white and rich easily able to afford replacing what he was taking. he maneuvered the tables and chairs to leave a body stopped him in the aisle the owner of the restaurant came at him shouting foul words and curses she smacked him across the head and patted him down, retrieving all he taken and more being robbed of all dignity long ago he stood still waiting for the search to conclude the coke remaining in his hand was snatched away with a dirty look. Another smack and a shove towards to door ended his time there as he left he turned to look back. they had more than enough whatever that glimpse of something different in them was far removed they went on with thier dinner he went on stumbling down the crowded street. this is life. it should not have been like this.
So well written and very impactful.
Thank you Brittany, that is an sobering but motivating observation.