Rich Homeless Broken But Beautiful

by Ian Tremblay

  Yes, those were happy times for Linda, and there was no impediment to her happiness, except for Diane Sorenson's intense jealousy maybe, but she didn't let that get to her too much. All through high school she felt like she was on a cloud; her grades were excellent, she was popular and best of all she and Richard were madly in love. They were completely devoted to each other and filled to the brim of their beings with a love that was pure and unspoiled and intense and unconditional.

  Linda had found a part-time job at a fast food outlet, and with the money she earned, she helped her family. It was the happiest time of her young life. Sometimes when she was alone in her bed at night, she would shed a silent tear, not of sorrow, but because she was happy that life was being good to her at last, after all the sufferings she had endured in her younger years.

  One night, a few weeks before their graduation, she and Richard were lying in his bed at his parents' house. His parents had gone to a concert, and Richard and Linda were supposed to be studying, but they had decided that making love was a better option. Linda took Richard's head in her hands and brought her face up to his. They were eyeball to eyeball.

  "Richard, I want to be yours forever. I don't want to know anyone else, ever; promise me we will always be together and that nothing and no one will ever come between us." Linda's eyes were ablaze with love and passion; her skin still flushed from their lovemaking.

  "Oh Linda, I promise. God, I promise. I love you so much it hurts. I will always be yours and yours alone, always, I promise." He touched her lips gently with his own, grazing them with his breath. She responded with her tongue, taking his mouth into hers, and their bodies were instantly ignited again with the fury of their youth.

  Later, as they lay in the warmth and afterglow of their release, Linda turned toward Richard and propped her head up on one of her elbows. She passed her other hand through his hair, and he moaned and opened his eyes.

  "Hey, what's up?"

  "I really don't like this idea of us being apart, Richard. I mean you at your college and me at my veterinarian school. I understand why we will be in different schools, but I don't have a good feeling about it, and I just wish we could stay together. I can't live far away from you like that, and it hurts me just to think about it." Richard took her free hand and began to kiss it lightly.

  "I know, sweetheart, but, we've talked about this before. It's the best place for me to play football and there are no other options, you know that. Plus, we'll only be a three-hour drive apart. I'll be up there to see you every weekend, I promise. You know I can't live without you either. It'll be hard, but it's only for a few years, then we'll be together for the rest of our lives. Promise me that you'll give this an honest try and that you won't worry too much, please."

  She looked at him with sadness in her eyes,

  "Okay, I promise," she said without much conviction and cuddled up to him, laying her head on his chest. He put his arm around her and kissed the back of her head.

  "It's just that I have a bad feeling about this. I can't really explain it. We won't be together, and I hate that idea, that's all." She held onto him tightly.

  Richard stroked her hair gently and continued to kiss her head.

  "I'll be with you. I'll always be with you. I'll never leave you, I swear, never. Just remember, even when we're apart, we're together," he whispered in her ear. She did not respond but stayed glued to his body and soon fell fast asleep.

  An hour later, Richard nudged her,

  "Linda, wake up, my parents will be home soon."

  They got up and got dressed in silence and then headed downstairs to where they had left their homework.

  That night, after Richard brought her home, Linda lay awake in her bed, eyes wide open.

  "Why does love have to be so good and so scary?" she pondered. "Why am I afraid? What am I afraid of?" The answers to her questions never came that night, and after a few hours of useless soul searching and staring at the ceiling, slumber finally came and released her from her teenage existential queries.

  Graduation came and went, and the summer flew by. It was a wonderful summer, filled with the sanctity of their love and the promise of a bright future. They were bubbly and excited about their imminent departures for school and the perspective of meeting new people and discovering new places. They made plans and dreamed about the future, their future, the one in which they would be together forever.

  The end of summer came too quickly for the young lovers. The time to say good-bye had arrived and they would each have to go their separate ways. They had been together every single day for the past three years, and an unsettling sentiment filled the air. Richard would be the first to leave. His parents would drive him to his school, and Linda would leave later that afternoon by bus. She walked over to his house in the morning to see him off. They had agreed to no tears, no sadness, just a, "Good luck, my love, and see you in two weeks"-easier said than done, of course.

  Richard's mother opened the door.

  "Oh, hi, Linda, come on in please. We're just about ready to go."

  "Hi, Mrs. Benson, how are you?"

  "A bit sad, but excited also. I do hope he makes it to the big leagues." The last part she whispered. She wasn't supposed to say that; it spooked Richard out. Linda nodded her head, her eyes opened wide in approval as she let herself in.

  Richard and his father came down the stairs loaded with luggage.

  "Hi, Richard, Mr. Benson, all ready to go, eh?" Linda said as cheerfully as she could, while flashing her bravest smile.

  "Yeah, I think so. Anyway, if I forget anything, my parents will certainly take care of it," Richard said ironically while making a face in the direction of his overprotective mother. His mother smiled, oblivious to his comment.

  "Okay, people, let's get this stuff in the car and get going." Richard's father moved toward the door with Richard in tow.

  "I'll go get my purse and be right there." Mrs. Benson's voice was a bit high pitched, revealing how tense she was. Richard was her only child, and this was a big thing for her.

  Once the car was loaded and Richard's parents were sitting in it, the lovers stood facing each other in a tender embrace.

  "I'll call you later, okay?"

  "You'd better not forget, or in two weeks I'll poke your eyes out, Richard Benson." Linda kept a brave face; she had learned that when she was young. Her heart, however, was heavy and laden with sorrow.

  "I love you," she whispered in his ear.

  "I love you too," he whispered in hers. His father honked the car horn,

  "Come on, let's go, Richard," he shouted.

  Richard let her go and got into the car. He closed the door, his eyes never leaving hers as they drove away. Once they were at a distance, tears began to pour down Linda's face. Richard was far now, and he couldn't see that she was crying. The accumulated anguish and apprehension of the last few days came pouring out of her, and for a long time she stood there on the curb, immobile, unable to tear herself away, her body shaking from her profound and sincere despair. After a very long time, she turned and walked slowly away, head down, shoulders drooping, completely dejected and depressed.

  At about the same time on the other side of town, in the pompously named gated community called Alcove of Paradise, where people of substantial means lived, Diane Sorenson was getting into her parents' luxury car for the drive to college. Diane smiled, content; she was off to the same college as Richard Benson, and the thought that Linda Staunton would not be around to interfere in her plans pleased her immensely. She had decided that she would have Richard Benson, and that she would do whatever was necessary to make that happen, no matter what it was, and by whatever means.

  "Linda Staunton, you're history, you little trashy bitch. I'll show you how the game is played," she said to herself and smiled as she let herself slip down into the comfortable leather seat of the car. She closed her eyes, comforted by the thought that she now had the advantage. "What a mistake you've just made," she surmis
ed, "to let Richard Benson go off alone to the same college as me! Talk about stupid. Now this is where having money makes a difference," she concluded. But then again, as Diane well knew, Linda had had no choice. Her financial situation did not permit her to go to this college or any other college and it was only because of her excellent grades that Linda would be off to the state veterinarian school. Diane Sorenson was convinced that all this was destiny and that destiny was, absolutely and rightly so, on her side.

  Linda left for school later that afternoon. She took a cab with her mother to the bus station, and they hugged and said their good-byes. Her mother's eyes swelled up with tears. Linda was her eldest, and she had never been away for any extended period of time.

  "Oh, come on, Mom, I'll be okay. I swear, it's a safe town, plus I'm living on campus in a girl's residence that has 24/7 security, so what in the world can happen? Nothing, so please stop worrying about me. I'll be okay, I promise." Her mother wiped her tears with her hands and looked Linda straight in the eyes.

  "I know sweetheart, I know. Someday when you're a mother you'll understand how I feel. I know you'll be okay." They hugged again, and her mother held onto Linda tightly.

  "Mom, will you be okay with the children and work and all? I worry about that. I mean, Granny Flo’s health is not that good anymore and…”

  "Hush, hush now, you just go and get yourself an education, be the best of your class, and leave the worrying to me"

  "I'll work very hard, Mom, I promise."

  "I know you will." They looked at each other one last time and smiled. Linda detached herself from her mother's embrace, kissed her on the forehead, and boarded the bus. Her mother watched the bus pull away with a mix of apprehension and hope. Slowly, she made her way back to the waiting taxi.

  It was a six-hour bus ride to her destination, but it went by really fast. Linda was excited. A new school, new people, new everything-she couldn't wait. She only wished Richard was with her. He was so strong and so solid, she always felt safe with him, and there were never any questions or apprehensions.

  Soon enough, she was in her room at the Arlene Robinson Residence for Women. Mrs. Robinson apparently had been a very generous contributor to the school, enough so that they had named the building after her. The room was small, but it had a nice cozy feeling to it and from her window, Linda could see the green and flowered grounds of the school and the warm countryside that surrounded it. Mrs. Wright, who was in charge of the women's residence, had taken care of Linda upon her arrival. She had given her a short history lesson about the place and the surrounding area. Mrs. Wright was a stocky, heavyset woman, with short, neatly arranged hair, and had a very austere and serious look about her.

  "This is not a place for pleasure, Miss Staunton; this is a serious school that expects you to behave accordingly and to keep your grades up. Now, do you understand the rules of the residence? Have I made myself clear enough?"

  "Yes, Mrs. Wright, and thank you very much for the explanations and the tour. Everything is very clear, and once again, thank you."

  "Very well then, get settled in, and if you have any questions, you know where to find me."

  "Yes, of course, thank you." Linda closed the door, and Mrs. Wright walked briskly down the corridor and was probably off to intimidate some other new arrival.

  Linda looked about the room; she had never slept anywhere but in her own bed at home. It would be a new and strange feeling for her. She got busy unpacking her things.

  About forty-five minutes later, there was a light knock on the door. Linda came out of the bathroom, where she had been busy putting her things into place.

  "Yes?" She called out to the door.

  Someone opened the door, and the head of a girl of about her age appeared in the doorway. She had a generous crop of red hair, the bluest eyes, and an infectious smile on her freckled face.

  "Hi, I'm Peggy, your next door neighbor. I saw you pass by with Mrs. Uptight Wright.” Her smile was generous and friendly. Linda walked toward her smiling and with her hand outstretched.

  "Hi, I'm Linda, Linda Staunton. Come on in." Peggy opened the door and took Linda's hand.

  "No, I'll let you settle in, but we could grab a bite to eat at the cafeteria when you're done. What do you say?"

  "I'd love to, Peggy; just give me another fifteen minutes or so."

  "Okay, great. I'll come back to get you. See you then." She left, closing the door as she went.

  Later she and Peggy shared a pizza and some sodas. It was as if they had been friends forever. They talked for hours about their families, their friends, their boyfriends, and their dreams. Peggy was from a large city, and she was quick and streetwise, which was new and fascinating for Linda. Linda felt lucky to have already made such a great friend. She was excited about the school and Peggy and about her new surroundings, but she missed Richard a lot that first day, "Oh Richard, I wish you were here with me now, in my arms and kissing me."

  Meanwhile, Richard's arrival at college had been quite different. His college was one of the top schools in the country. Everything, be it the buildings, the grounds, the curriculum, or the professors, was first class. Richard and his parents had been really impressed by how they had taken care of him on arrival. Of course, Richard's football talents were well known here. The college had gone to considerable trouble to have him enroll there and play football for the team. They had accepted him even though his grades were below the required level for admission. Richard had promised he would work hard to make his grades better, and the college had accepted that pledge with the help of a lot of coaxing from the team's football coach. Richard had his own fully furnished apartment off campus. The football team paid for all his expenses. He even had the use of a small car, which, although it was the property of the school, was reserved for his exclusive use. The football coach, Mr. Warren, had taken Richard and his parents on a tour of the school and then had invited them to lunch at one of the better restaurants in town.

  "Mr. and Mrs. Benson, you can be assured that Richard will be well treated and taken care of here. We will also see to it that his grades are kept up and that he stays out of trouble." He smiled and winked to Richard in a gesture of complicity. "You know how young people are, but trust me, we are well organized here, and we apply very strict rules for school, recreation, and of course, football." He turned toward Richard. "We have great faith in you, young man, and we are showing you that faith today. I do hope you will not let us or your parents down." He eyeballed Richard with intensity, his whole demeanor laden with authority.

  Richard cleared his throat. "Thank you very much, Mr. Warren, for putting your faith in me, and believe me, I won't let you or my parents down, sir, and that's a promise."

  "That's the spirit, young man. That's what we want to hear from you." Richard turned toward his mother and smiled at her. His mother smiled back, beaming with motherly pride and joy. She could hardly believe that her Richard, her only child, was now off into the world and on his own. Her eyes became misty, and she squeezed her husband's hand hard.

  Richard's thoughts drifted toward Linda, his sweet, adorable Linda. "I wonder how she's making out alone. I hope she's okay," he pondered. "God, I miss her, I can't wait to call her tonight." When he thought about her, he went off into another place, a place that was warm and comforting and that belonged only to them. His father's question brought him back from his thoughts.

  "Don't you agree with Mr. Warren, Richard?" Richard had no idea what they were talking about. It was like that when he thought about Linda-his mind drifted off, and it was as if she had entered his body, and he would became oblivious to everything and to all.

  "Yes, of course, Dad, Mr. Warren, of course, totally," he jumped in and smiled. They were content, unaware of the fact that he had missed the last part of the conversation. Mr. Warren paid the bill even though Richard's father protested.

  "Mr. and Mrs. Benson, today you are the guests of the school. Thank you very much for coming, and I do hop
e we will see you again soon." Mr. Warren was a large, likable man whose smile inspired confidence and trust. Across the table the Bensons held each other by the hand and beamed with complete parental joy and admiration.

  After they left the restaurant, Richard and Mr. Warren saw his parents off. His mother got very emotional, and Richard put his arms around her. He was a full-grown man now, and his broad, athletic shoulders engulfed her completely.

  "Hey, come on, Mom, I'm a big boy now. I don't want you to worry about me, okay, promise?" His mother broke from his embrace and wiped a tear from her cheek. She looked up to Richard and smiled.

  "Yes, okay, I promise, but call me often, will you?" Her voice was cracking, and her eyes were filled with all the emotions provoked by the now-empty nest that awaited her back home, emotions that had been building up for months and that were now rising to the surface.

  "Of course, Mom, I'll call you often, I promise." Richard kissed his mother and shook his father's hand.

  "You work hard and listen to Mr. Warren now, son." His father shook Mr. Warren's hand, thanking him profusely for everything.

  "Thanks Dad, Mom," Richard was all smiles as he waved them off in the departing car.

  "Fine people, your parents Richard. Okay, son, you had better go and get settled in now. School starts soon, and so does football practice. So go on now, scoot and get a head start on things."

  "Yes sir, Mr. Warren, and thanks again for everything."

  "Think nothing of it, son. Hey, do you need help to find that apartment again? I could show you ...."

  "It's okay, sir," Richard interrupted. "I know exactly where it is. I have an excellent memory." He tapped a finger on his temple. "I'll be fine. Thanks for everything again, sir. It was very nice of you, and I appreciate it. I'll see you at your office tomorrow at ten a.m."

  "Okay, Richard, it's been my pleasure. I'll see you tomorrow then. Oh, and by the way, you'll get to meet some of the other players tomorrow; we've got a great bunch of guys, you'll see."