About the author

As Christmas drew closer, the weather grew colder. Tyrone walked down the street, hunched over in the wind. His head hurt, and so did his throat. He thought he might have a fever. Maybe tonight he would sleep in the bus station. He sat down on a bus stop bench and tucked his legs under him to warm his feet a little. A nearby store was blaring Christmas carols, and the song, “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” came on. Tyrone wiped his nose on his sleeve and waited for the Covenant House sandwiches.

Just then, the van rounded the corner. “My ride’s here,” Tyrone said.

He jumped up and waved to the van. It pulled up and the man fled into the darkness. Tyrone did not wait for Keshia to get out but jumped into the van.

“Tyrone, did that man hurt you?” Keshia asked quickly.

Tyrone shook his head. “Didn’t have a chance,” he said. He was shivering all over and it was not just from cold.

“That was a narrow escape, my friend,” Jack said. “Why don’t you ride around with us for a while until we’re sure that guy is gone?”

Tyrone could only nod because his mouth was full of sandwich. Miguel was at the wheel and pulled away from the curb. Tyrone sipped the chocolate, his throat burning and his head pounding. Slowly his feet began to tingle and ache as the heat in the van warmed him. Still, he felt more comfortable than he had in months.