9 of 79

Write now Article Tools

Page 3 of 4

blame ya, the looks of me."

Teddy looked at his new friend with embarrassment. "Yeah, sorry about that. I guess I might not be as mature as I think that I am."

"You get used to it. It's not that people are cruel at heart,they just don't understand."

"Do you have family in Hazelton?"

"Some. Most are gone. My mamma and daddy are gone. And of course my wife and daughter are buried there. I got my sister. I saw her about two years ago. She wired me bus fare to visit for the holidays. But now she's had some hard times too and couldn't come up with money to help me get home."

There was sadness in the man's voice as he talked of his family. Teddy noticed and he thought about this for a few minutes as they sat together in silence. Teddy was looking forward to spending the holidays with his family that he hadn't seen in two years and he knew what it would mean to him to walk in the door and be hugged and greeted by everyone he loved and missed so much. He thought that everyone should be with the people they love over the holidays. He turned to his new friend and said, "How would you like to spend the holidays in Hazelton with your sister? You could come with me to Scranton, when we finally are able to be on our way, and I could drive you to Hazelton. It's on me."

The man's eyes lit up like the Christmas tree that was sitting in the front window of the bus station. "I don't know what to say."

"Well you don't need to say anything. It's settled. I'll go wait in the ticket line and I'll call my ma and tell her to be expecting a guest." Teddy placed his hand on the stranger's shoulder. "I'll tell her I'm bringing a friend." He smiled and looked into his new friend's gentle eyes. Teddy dialed his mom's number as he walked up to the counter to buy a second bus ticket. He told his mom to expect an additional guest. He told her his friend's sad story in detail while waiting in line.

"Well what's his name?"

Teddy's eyes grew wide. "You know Ma, I didn't even introduce myself or get his name." Teddy turned to look at his friend. But when he turned around, his new friend was gone. Teddy left his place in line and looked around the bus station and in the mens' room. His new friend was nowhere to be found. He asked other passengers if they had seen him. While they admitted that they had seen Teddy with a man fitting the stranger's description they hadn't seen the stranger leave the building. Teddy was beside himself with worry at this

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Short stories: Angels?
We want to hear your view. Write now!