Chapter 7 - WALKING THE MILES
For two agonizing days, the brothers walked miles across the sprawling city. They ignored their own burning muscles, their blistered feet, and the gnawing hunger in their stomachs. Barnaby was their family, and they weren't going to give up on family.
They asked street vendors, bus drivers, and anyone who would listen. On Monday afternoon, they met an old street musician playing an accordion near the edge of the wealthy suburban district.
"A golden-brown dog with floppy ears?" the old man said, scratching his gray beard. "Yeah, actually, I saw one yesterday morning. A white truck from the Northside Shelter loaded him up near the park entrance. Poor thing was running around like he was looking for someone."
"The Northside Shelter," Ben repeated, a spark of hope igniting in his chest. "Where is that?"
"It’s far, kid. About five miles north, past the highway," the musician said, looking at their worn-out shoes with pity. He reached into his pocket and handed Ben a couple of shiny quarters. "Get yourselves some water. It’s a long walk."
They didn't buy water. They used the quarters to buy a small pack of crackers to share, and then they began to walk.
As they left the gritty concrete of the downtown area, the surroundings began to change. The tall, grimy buildings gave way to beautiful, quiet tree-lined streets with large suburban houses, manicured green lawns, and white picket fences. Warm, golden light spilled from the large windows of the houses, and the smell of home-cooked dinners drifted through the air.
May you like
Toby looked at the houses with a quiet awe. "Do real people live in those, Ben?"
"Yeah, Tobe," Ben said quietly, keeping his arm around his brother’s shoulder. "Real families."
