Finding Hope by K Broas Read Free Book Online Page A

campaigned. They even brought tutors when the trips lasted more than a couple weeks. Jason was the sixteen year old son of Mr. Howard’s campaign manager , and Isaac had become good friends with him.
    They had traveled together many times before. Although he normally wouldn’t hang out with Jason, he was one of the kids who was always around. Jason was a year older than Isaac, but was daring and confident well beyond his years. Compared to Isaac’s more reserved nature, Jason offered a sense of danger and mischief missing in his young life.
    “Let’s get outta here,” Jason whispered as he fled the parental supervision.
    “Don’t run! And be back in an hour,” Isaac heard his mother say as he followed Jason down the hall. They broke free into the hotel lobby as quickly as their teenage legs would carry them. They collapsed on the lonely furniture in the large hotel lobby content to watch the travelers pass by as they check in.
    “Now that looks nice, look at her tits … I’d love to hit that,” Jason said peering at a hotel guest who was well beyond his years. “Dare me to go talk to her?”
    “Shut up dude , she’s obviously looking at me,” Isaac replied adjusting his shirt collar.
    “ I could show her a thing or two,” Jason said in a voice way too loud for the quiet space.
    Embarrassed, Isaac laughed and said, “Dude they probably know we’re here with the campaign. Not so loud.”
    “Hey let’s get out of here. Let’s go check outside,” Jason said pushing his young concubine. They ran out into the street and into the evening air. The smell of exhaust and garbage filled their tender noises. The great city of Atlanta, Georgia filled their view as they went to discover life. “Just around the block,” Jason said. “Don’t be such a wimp.”
    Before Isaac could answer, Jason was already on his way. Isaac stood and soaked in the newly found freedom and surrounding civilization. The lights and sounds of traffic all around him gave the sense of safety and assurance. As they walked down Courtland Street, Isaac noticed the variety of people who made this area home.
    Up against the wall of the corner market sat a small group of people who looked sad and alone. Their clothes were torn, and they looked as if it’s been days since they’ve bathed. They were politely asking strangers for spare change. Isaac recognized the empty expressions of these people as they struggled to live. He noticed one young woman especially. She was young, maybe twenty five years old, and she had beautiful eyes full of despair. She was un-kempt and unhappy as she shuffled from person to person. She had a young child with her as she begged. Her young boy was about eight years old. He sat patiently as her mother made her living. Isaac could see the desperation in the child’s eyes that remained hidden from the people on the street. He looked hungry, cold, and without hope. Every couple of minutes, the boy’s mother would walk over and give him a kiss on his head. Isaac knew this was because she really loved her boy and felt terrible for the situation she’d put them in.
    “Look at the bums,” J ason said with contemp. “Get a job!”
    Isaac felt mortified by the actions of his friend. “Dude shut up! You don’t know them. Haven’t you been listening to your dad? There are no jobs,” Isaac replied with as much compassion as a fifteen year old could muster. “Leave ‘ em alone.”
    “I bet they’re just lazy and want free shit from the rest of us,” Jason continued as he raised his voice so the desperate panhandlers could hear.
    “Dude I’m leaving! You’re embarrassing and being rude,” Isaac said fighting the peer pressure of youth.
    “Don’t be so lame. You know these parasites are wreckin’ the country,” Jason said becoming angry at Isaac’s stand. “Fine, let’s just go.”
    As they walked down the busy urban street , they became dazzled by the rainbow of neon. They moved forward like flies to fly