The Way It Works by William Kowalski Read Free Book Online Page A

I’m not here to stay. I’m here for a higher purpose.
    I say hello to the man working the reception desk. Then I go in to the main area, where about twenty people are having breakfast. The food smells and looks terrible. But it’s all some people have to keep from starving to death.
    â€œHey, everybody,” I say. “Can I have your attention, please?”
    Some people ignore me. They think I’m just one more crazy person. Homeless shelters are full of them, after all. But others look at me curiously.
    â€œMy name is Walter, and I’d like to offer you some work,” I say. “Would anyone like to earn twenty bucks today?”
    Several hands go up right away. Others don’t. You would think that everyone would want to work. But some people are here because they’re mentally ill, or too sick or too old to work. People don’t become homeless by choice. I’ve heard enough stories to know that all it takes is a series of bad breaks. Just like what happened to me. A lot of people have had even worse luck than I have. And imagine being sixty or seventy years old to boot. You can see how life just isn’t fair sometimes.
    But there are a number of younger healthy people who just need another chance. And I’m going to give it to them.
    â€œOkay, everyone with their hands up, follow me,” I say.
    About ten people get up and follow me. We walk past the guy at the desk, whose jaw is hanging open.
    â€œWhat’s going on?” he says.
    â€œIt’s a brand-new day,” I say. “Opportunity just knocked for these people.”
    The guy smiles.
    â€œAmen to that,” he says.
    Out on the street, I turn and wait for everyone to catch up. Then we walk in a group to the uniform supply store, just a few blocks away. I’ve already arranged with the owner of this place for a bulk discount. I buy ten T-shirts that say NEV-R-LATE URBAN COURIER . Then I have everyone put them on.
    When that’s done, I gather them all on the sidewalk. I hand each person a stack of a hundred business cards. I explain what I want them to do: walk around town and deliver these cards to businesses. Everyone pick a different territory. Be polite. Be respectful. Get in and out, and don’t waste anyone’s time.
    â€œOkay, that’s your job,” I say. “And to show you my heart’s in the right place, I’m going to pay you half in advance. Here’s ten bucks for each of you. Come back when you’re done and I’ll give you another ten.”
    I hand them each a ten-dollar bill. From the looks on some of their faces, you would think they just won the lottery. I figure maybe one or two of them will keep the money and throw away the cards. There’s not much I can do about that. But most of them will do what I asked them to do. And they’ll come back for more work again. Those will be my future employees.
    â€œNow,” I say. “Does anyone have any questions?”
    â€œYes, I have one,” says a voice behind me. “Why did you make my little girl cry?”
    For a moment, I don’t even want to turn around. I know that voice. But I do turn. And who is standing there behind me but Parnell Jefferson.
    â€œMr. Jefferson,” I say. “What are you doing here?”
    â€œI decided to follow you last night,” he says. “I know you slept in your car. And I followed you again this morning.”
    â€œYou followed me?”
    â€œI needed to know who was coming around my daughter,” he says. “What’s going on with you, Walter?”
    That’s it. No more hiding.
    So I tell Mr. Jefferson everything. Including the fact that I’m homeless.
    To my surprise, he listens. And nods. And when I’m done, he does something I wasn’t expecting. He smiles.
    â€œThank you for being honest,” he says.
    â€œMr. Jefferson, the last thing in the world I wanted to do was hurt your daughter,” I