She found him staring inside a window, almost frozen…

“Winter is here.” she thought. “I wonder when we will get our first snow for this year?” she said to her husband as she stood in the kitchen. She was standing in front of the sink washing dishes, staring out the window.

Ken and Lynne were their names. They lived in what some people in town called the poor section. They work hard for what little they got paid and did everything they could to stretch what money they made. There were many empty, abandon houses in the neighborhood. So many lost everything they had due to economy and businesses closing. Yet, they both still had jobs, even though the pay was not much. It kept a roof over their head, utilities paid and gave them something to eat. They thanked God every day for what they had, even though to most it looked like so little.

They both worked what supposed to be eight-hour shifts, but they usually worked twelve. Never getting paid for the other four. It was usually dark when they went to work and dark when they got home, so they never had the chance to know their neighbors because they were hardly home. “So many are gone now. The neighborhood looks so empty and run down.” Lynne thought.

As she stood there staring out the window, she noticed someone coming out of the house next door. It was dark but she could see they were pulling a little wagon behind them. Lynne watched as the person went from one garbage can to the next putting things into the wagon until the person disappeared into the darkness. She yelled out to Ken but before he made his way into the kitchen the person was gone. “I don’t see anyone.” he said. “I know what I saw!” Lynne said. She then told him what the person did. “We will keep an eye on the place. It was probably someone just making their way through the neighborhood.” Ken said and walked out of the room.

“I think someone is living in the abandon house next door.” Lynne thought to herself. She finished the dishes and turned the lights out, they then went to bed. After they said their prayers, Lynne laid there thinking about what she saw. She could not get it off her mind but eventually she fell asleep.

It felt like she just went to sleep when the alarm went off. They got up, got a shower, ate breakfast, grab the lunch they always took. It was cheaper to take it than buying something close to work. They headed off to their jobs like they do most days. It was Friday and like every Friday they looked forward to the weekends, it was their time to spend with each other.

They mostly stayed home on the weekends unless they had to do shopping or other things. Their parents passed away many years ago and they both were the only child. Just after getting married, they found out Lynne couldn’t have children. It was just the two of them but that was okay, they didn’t mind.

They went to bed early that night, but it wasn’t long before Lynne woke up. She could not go back to sleep, so she eased out of bed and made her way into the kitchen to get something to drink. There plenty of light coming in from the streetlight beside the house that she didn’t bother turning on a light. She grabbed a glass, then walk to the sink to get some water. When she lifted her head, she saw the person again. The one she saw before, pulling the little wagon behind them, stopping at each garbage can as they went. She watched as the person went from one garbage can to the next but this time, she noticed movement in the wagon, it looked like a small child. Then the person and wagon disappeared again into the darkness.

“When it gets daylight, we are going next door and see if someone is living in the abandoned house. Maybe I should call the police. No, I am not going to do that. Let’s see what’s going on first.” Lynne thought. She went into the living room, grabbed her Bible and started reading. The next thing she knew, when she looked up, it was daylight, and she could hear Ken moving around in the bedroom. She made her way into the kitchen and started making breakfast. Ken came into the room a few minutes later. She told him that she saw the person again but this time, she knows she saw what looked like a child in the wagon. “Okay, we will go over there as soon as we finish breakfast.” Ken said.

They finished eating, put on their coats, then headed out the door. “It doesn’t look like anyone is living there to me. It looks empty.” Ken said as they made their way to the house. “You stay here, and I will go around the back. I will try to look in the windows.” he said. As Lynne stood there waiting in the cold and waiting on Ken to make his way back, she heard a noise come from inside. She took off around the side of the house to find Ken to tell him, but she found him standing there staring inside a window, almost frozen. “Ken.” she whispered.

He turned and put his finger up in front of his lips, telling her to be quiet. He then waved her over by him. There was a blanket over the window, but one corner was pushed just enough to the side that they could see inside the room. What they saw shocked them both. They could see a couple of mattresses on the floor and curled up on them was what look to be a woman and three children sleeping underneath blankets. They step backed quietly, then made their way back home. They both were still in shock at seeing the family living in the abandon home.

They opened the door and went inside their home and made their way into their kitchen. Lynne made some coffee, then they sat down at the table. “What should we do?” Lynne asked. “I don’t want to call the police on them.” she said. “We don’t have a lot but let’s cook a meal and maybe some sweets for the kids. Then take it over to them.” Ken said.  “I wonder how long they have been there?” Lynne said. “I don’t know but it must have been her last resort to end up there.” Ken replied.

Once it was ready, they packed it all into a box, then covered the food so it would stay hot. Ken grabbed a couple thermoses and filled one with coffee and the other with hot chocolate for the kids. Then they headed over to the abandon house. “I hope they will answer the door.” Lynne said, as they made their way there. “I will let you do the talking. Don’t be hurt if she doesn’t let us in or answer the door.” Ken said.

They knocked on the door but heard no sound but then they could hear children making noises and their mother telling them to be quiet. Lynne then spoke loud enough for them to hear. “I’m sorry, but we live next door. I saw you the other night and saw you come inside the house. We have some hot food and something to drink if you would like it.”

The front door slowly opened and their stood a frail looking woman and three children. “I’m so sorry to bother you and I understand if you don’t let us in. My name is Lynne, and this is my husband, Ken and we live next door. We have some hot food if you would like it.” Lynne said. She held up a box and steam was coming off of it. “I need to let them in, the kids are so hungry.” the woman thought. She then opened the door a little more and waved them in.

The kids were quiet, watching as Ken and Lynne walked into the cold abandon house. The woman led them to the room where they were sleeping. “I’m sorry I don’t have any chairs, but we do have a table.” the woman said. Ken set the box down, then started pulling out the food. He could see in the children’s eyes how hungry they were. The woman then reached her hand out to Lynne. “My name is Kristene.” she said while shaking Lynne’s hand. “You won’t tell anyone we are living here, will you?” Kristene said with a shaky voice. “Oh no.” Lynne replied. Lynne began to tell her that she saw her out in the night, pulling the wagon.

While the two women talked. Ken was setting the food on the table. He looked toward the kids then said. “Come on before it gets cold. Who wants hot chocolate?” Smiles came upon their faces as they made their way over to the table. “Children you know what to do first.” their mother said. She walked toward the children, and they all grab hands, Ken and Lynne joined in. Kristene then said grace. “We thank You Lord for bringing Ken and Lynne into our life today and we thank You the food they have blessed us with, bless them both Lord, Amen.” They piled the kids plates full and poured each one hot chocolate. Then they poured each of the adults a cup of coffee. The smell of the food and drink filled the room.

The kids ate like they haven’t had a meal in days, giggling the whole time. Lynne then handed Kristene a plate. “Here you need to eat while it’s hot.” she said. Ken then asked. “How did you end up here?”

“It’s a long story. At one time we lived in a nice neighborhood and had a nice home. My husband was in the military and had served almost 12 years when he became very sick. His health went down quickly and within a year, he passed away. Because it couldn’t be proven that the illness was related to his time in the service. I received nothing for the twelve years of his life he gave for his country. The next thing I knew was bill collectors were calling and hounding me, saying terrible things. I lost everything, the car, the house, all of it. I was left without money and had nowhere to go. I have no idea where my family lives now; I lost contact with them many years ago. All I knew to do was pack what I could and to start walking. It was late at night when I came upon this house, so we opened a window and went inside. I tried everything to not let anyone know we were here. I have been so scared someone would find out and take my children away.” she said. Tears were pouring from both women.

Kristene then continued with her story. “We put up dark covers over the windows and stay in this one room. The kids stay in here in the day time, playing with each other. At night in order to have something for us to eat. I leave Tommy, the oldest, with his sister and that’s Jill over there.” She said pointing to the one sitting beside her brother. “I take Ellie with me wrapping her up, so she won’t get cold. While I look for something to eat. I collect whatever I can, like cans and things to sell but it buys very little.” Kristene said. They had no idea the woman and children were even there, and it broke their heart to hear what all that the family had been through.

Ken then said “Kristene, I know you don’t know us but if you will let us help? We can offer you a warm place to stay. It’s not much but it will be a safe place for you and the children, and you will have something to eat.” Kristene’s heart about broke in two when he said that. “How could these two who don’t even know me, offer such a thing.” she thought. She stared at her children who were enjoying their food and smiling. Each had a chocolate mustache on their face. “How can I turn this down. My kids need a warm place to live and food. Try as I might, I haven’t been able to give them that.” Kristene thought to herself. “I accept only on one condition. That you let us work around the house, cleaning and other things to pay for our keep.” she said to Ken and Lynne. “You have a deal. We work eight to twelve hour days anyway, so the house will mostly be yours. I hope you don’t mind that.” Lynne said.

“What do you say, we pack everything and get over to the house where its warm?” Lynne said. Everyone grabbed something, and then went out the front door. Kristene slowly closed the door and as she did these words went through her mind. “I now close this chapter of my life and open another.”

Hope you enjoyed the short story.