Compassion
By josephine17
- 530 reads
~~COMPASSION
By Josephine17
‘Are you helping out at the Mission tonight, Mae?’ asked Bill, her husband.
‘Of course,’ said Mae, with some surprise. ‘Why wouldn’t I?’
‘Well it’s going to be bleeding cold out there. The weather on the BBC says it’s going to be five below tonight. You’ll get pneumonia going out in that.’
Mae shook her head with annoyance at her husband. ‘You know the Mission is centrally heated. I have only got to get in the car and out of it, so the chances of me dying from hypothermia are zilch.’ At times like these, Bill irritated her. ‘You are always trying to find some excuse for me to not go to the Mission.
‘I’m not,’ Bill said indignantly. ‘I’m just thinking of you.’
Mae knew that wasn’t true. He just preferred her stay in with him. ‘I’ve been indoors with you all day,’ she said as if speaking to a child. ‘And most of the time we’ve been sitting by the fire. Not like the poor buggers who’ve been out in the cold all day; freezing to death and hungry. The Mission is the only place where they can have a warm meal and a hot drink.’
Bill gave a guilty look. ‘You’re a good girl Mae helping out at the Mission, Not many women would do what you do.’
Mae’s eyebrows lifted. ‘You are so wrong Bill. Most of the helpers are women. These homeless people are in a desperate situation, mainly through no fault of their own. I go because I feel desperately sorry for them. Somebody has to show compassion for them. As the saying goes, “But by the Grace of God, go I.” Also, you have got to think, they could be someone’s son, daughter, husband or wife.’
Bill gave an unqualified look, ‘I know what you are doing is worthy, but I do believe some of them bring it on themselves, especially the drunks and the drug addicts.’
Mae challenged his assumption, ‘You haven’t got a clue - have you? Do you think they wanted to become addicts? Some of these drug addicts were exposed to drugs at a very young age. And a hell of a lot them are exploited by pimps and sold into prostitution for money. It’s not only young girls either, its boys as well. And as far as the drunks go, they didn’t choose to be alcoholics. They started off just like us; social drinkers.’ Mae was now on a roll and she could feel the anger rising in her. ‘What about us? We go out twice a week to the Working Man’s Club and have a few drinks. We’re lucky; alcohol doesn’t affect us in the way it does them. We might get tipsy now again, but we don’t get addicted.’
Mae could tell by the look on Bill’s face he wasn’t convinced. She often came across people with the same sentiments as he had, and it infuriated her. She hated bigotry with all its guises, even more so when it was her husband.
To get her husband on side, Mae said, ‘I tell you what, why don’t come down with me tonight and help out. Maybe it might change your mind when you see the people I help.’
Bill huffed. ‘You don’t need me to come with you. I don’t want to get involved with the any of the down and outs. If that’s what you want to do, so be it, but don’t include me.’
Mae’s face went red with anger. ‘You make sick, Bill Cook. You think you know it all. Sitting there pontificating about how these poor people live. But when I offer you to come down to the Mission with me and see for yourself what goes on there, you turn your nose up as if you are better than them. You’re a bloody hypocrite,’ she spat out with disgust.
Bill looked shocked at his wife’s outburst. ‘Hang on there, Mae. We can’t all be the same as you – a do gooder. I have got my own opinions you know.
Disgusted by her husband’s attitude, Mae said, ‘And your opinions stink!’
All day long, Mae and Bill didn’t speak. Mae was still angry. Every time she thought of Bill’s comments, her hackles rose. Bill on the other hand, walked around all day with a wounded look on his face.
It was six o’clock in the evening and it was time for Mae to go to the Mission. She went into the hall and took her coat from the hook and put it on. She was about to leave when Bill called out, ‘Wait for me. I’m coming with you.’
Mae turned around and saw Bill heaving on his heavy coat.
‘What made you change your mind,’ she asked with a look of surprise on her face.
Bill said sheepishly, ‘I couldn’t bear you not talking to me.’
Mae gave him an affectionate look. ‘I am glad you changed your mind. I will feel a lot better when you see what I do, and how I help people. Maybe seeing firsthand what goes on at the Mission, you will understand why I go.’
As they closed the front door behind them, Bill said, ‘Cor blimey, it’s bloody freezing out here.’ He blew his hot breath on his hands before sinking them into his coat pockets.
‘Mae pulled her collar up over her ears. Blowing out the white smoke of cold, she said, ‘Come on let’s get going.’
*
On arriving at the Mission, they were met by the local Vicar.
With a courteous smile the Vicar said, ‘Nice to see you again Mae. Thanks for coming’
Mae returned his smile Acknowledging her husband, Mae said, ‘This is my husband Bill. I have twisted his arm into coming with me tonight.’
The Vicar held out his hand for Bill to shake. Nice to meet you Bill. We need as many hands as we can get, so you are very welcome.’
Bill took hold of the proffered hand and gave it a firm shake. ‘He wasn’t too pleased by the Vicar’s comments about helping out. As far as he was concerned he was coming to keep his wife company. However, if need be, he would be prepared to make some tea.
Once inside the hall, Bill was assailed by the smell of bodies. He looked around at what he would call the reprobates, who were either sitting around drinking tea or consuming food.
‘Hi, Michael,’ said Mae, as she greeted a filthy looking man with a beard. ‘How are you today, love?’
A small trickle of blood fell from Michael’s nose. ‘Not too well today Mae. I have been in hospital for the past week.’
Mae looked concerned. ‘What was wrong, Michael?’
‘I had two blackouts, so they hauled me in.’
The side of Mae’s mouth went up, ‘You didn’t discharge yourself did you Michael?’
‘I couldn’t stay in there, Mae. You know what I’m like. I needed a drink.’
Mae didn’t know what to say. This was the pattern of many of the alcoholics. Drink was their demon. She put her hand on Michael’s arm, and with a lump in her throat, said, ‘Take care Michael.’
As they walked away, Bill said, ‘God Mae, he looks in a really bad way. Couldn’t the hospital have kept him in?’
‘No. It would have gone against his Human Rights’
‘Human Rights, my arse,’ said Bill. If a human being can no longer take care of themselves, then they should be sectioned under the Mental Health Act – that’s what I call a Human Right.’
Mae was surprised by Bill’s comments. It was exactly how she thought. ‘I think the same as you, especially in Michael’s case. Michael was fine twenty years ago. He held a job as an accountant. It was only when he had a brain aneurysm that things went badly wrong. By all accounts it was after the brain injury, he started to drink heavily until it finally got out of control. He is now unable to clean himself and is totally incontinent. Because of the state of him he has been chucked out of various flats, he now lives on the streets.’ Mae’s eyes filled with tears. ‘I think he will die soon.’
Bill sighed, ‘If the state won’t take care of him, maybe it would be a blessing for the poor sod.
Mae was surprised by Bill’s comments. He looked truly upset.
Mae walked into the Mission kitchen; Bill trailed behind.
‘You don’t have to help in the kitchen,’ said Mae. It’s all women in here. Go and pour yourself a cup of tea. I will be with you as soon as I have helped out in here.’
Bill nodded. He turned and went back into the hall. The idea of having a cup of tea appealed to him. Since entering the mission he hadn’t felt well. The sight of the homeless had upset him more than he thought.
After Bill poured himself a cup of tea from the large iron urn, he sat down on the nearest chair.
‘You alright Mister,’ said a young woman sitting next to him.
Bill blew out a small puff of air. ‘I think so. I think I had a bit of a funny turn.’
‘The young woman smiled. ‘I know how you feel, I have loads of them.’
Bill surveyed the young woman’s face. He couldn’t gauge her age. Her face was covered in spots and dark rings circled her eyes.
‘I’m not a pretty sight am I?’ she said with a weak smile.
Bill didn’t know what to say.
‘Go on. Guess my age,’ she urged him
Bill felt embarrassed.
‘Go on. Have a guess.’
Bill wanted to be kind, ‘Twenty One?’
She laughed. ‘ Bleeding hell. I’m only seventeen.’
‘I’m sorry; I’m not any good with ages.’
‘That’s alright mate. I’ve been told I look a lot older than twenty one.’ She nudged him in his side. ‘I think you were just being kind.’
Bill smiled. ‘I don’t know about that.’
‘It’s not my fault I look this way,’ she added. It was my stepfather; he started giving me drugs when I was ten. That’s because he wanted his way with me.’
Bill was shocked. ‘What an evil bastard.’
‘Oi; mind your language.’
‘Sorry.’’
The young woman laughed again. ‘I’m only kidding. He was a bastard. But as luck would have it, he’s dead now.’
‘I only hope he’s gone to hell,’ said Bill; and he meant it.
‘My name is Barbara. What’s your name?’
‘Bill.’
‘What’s your story Bill?’
Bill looked perplexed. ‘What do you mean?’
‘How come you’re down and out? You look pretty clean to me.’
Bill was aghast. ‘I’m not a down and out. I came with my wife. She helps out here.’
The girl giggled. ‘Figures. You smell too nice.’
Bill laughed, which in turn made Barbara laugh too.’
‘Do you want another cup of tea, Bill?’
Bill stood up. ‘I’ll get you one.’
The next couple of hours passed quickly. Mae was busy giving out food, while Barbara introduced Bill to some of her friends. One of Barbara’s friends was an old lady called Vera. Vera looked well and truly bedraggled. With a scarf tied around her head she pushed a supermarket trolley around with her. It was stashed high with what Bill would call rubbish.
‘Vera’s like a mum to me,’ stated Barbara. ‘I don’t know what I’d do without her. She bottled a bloke for me the other night. He was trying to attack me.’
‘Vera gave a toothless smile. I knocked him out cold; didn’t I love?’
‘You certainly did Vera. And I gave him a kick in the goolies for good measure.’
Vera rummaged about in the trolley until she finally fished out a small blue decorative clock. ‘Here you are Bill, a little present from me. It only needs winding up.’
Bill took the clock from Vera and examined it. It looked like one you would find in a souvenir shop by the seaside. ‘Are you sure you want to give this to me,’ he asked.
‘Of course I want to give it to you. I wouldn’t offer it to you if I didn’t want you to have it – don’t you like it?’
Bill smiled. ‘It’s very nice. Thanks very much. I’ll put it on the shelf over my fireplace.’
Bill was humbled by Vera’s gift. This woman had nothing, but in her kindness, she wanted to give him a present.
‘She is always giving me presents,’ said Barbara. ‘Trouble is I have nowhere to put them.’
‘Where do live?’ asked Bill
‘On the streets. Like most of us in here. We are a community. We look after one another.’
For the first time since Mae started coming to the Mission, he felt ashamed and embarrassed by his prejudiced views. No wonder his wife got so angry with him. He felt like a stupid ignorant idiot.
‘It’s time to go Bill,’ said a voice behind him.
Bill turned around and saw Mae already in her coat. She was holding his for him to take.
‘You ready,’ she asked
He nodded and took his coat from her and put it on.
‘Will you come again, Bill?’ asked Barbara
Bill looked at the pleasant young woman who had made him a cup of tea. ‘I certainly will, especially now I have made two new friends.’
‘Barbara beamed. ‘I’ll look forward to seeing you again,’ she said shyly.
‘Goes for me too,’ said Vera
Bill looked at Mae and said, ‘I shall be coming regularly.’
She put her arm through his. Looking into his face, she said, ‘I am proud of you.’
- Log in to post comments
Comments
Heartwarming tale. The
Heartwarming tale. The dialogue is really animated and real.
- Log in to post comments