The Unexpected Guest

Jim Coady - Virtual Chapter

Ann has been working with a Mexican child whose family is living with the specter of deportation hanging over their heads. The boy is a sweet kid but can’t speak. Ann has been tutoring him at the local school, and we have helped the family out from time to time. When the mom, who had come over for something about 4 pm, asked if he could stay with us until 10 this evening because her work shift hours at the nearest burger flipping joint had suddenly been changed, and she had no one to leave him with! Ann of course agreed. 

How were we going to entertain our new guest, a young boy with communication issues? He partially solved our dilemma by falling asleep for most of the time here. At home, he typically stays up late to spend time with his foster dad who works an evening shift. No wonder he was tired! When he woke up around 9 pm, I was prepared, having cooked one of my famous expanded pasta/chicken/vegetable meals that can feed the multitudes. Sometimes I feel like Jesus, the cook.

Along the way he and I exchanged some banter. Fortunately, he is a wise guy like me, and, though my Spanish isn’t great, his facial expressions said it all.  Since Ann started working with him, he can make some verbal sounds that mimic words. He understands Spanish and he’s learning English. He’s a very likable kid and his classmates have accepted him into their classroom and school yard. All good. He ate everything on the plate and then some.

When his family showed up, he went home a happy camper. It was such a small thing to do for that family, but I just keep thinking that if all of us continue to do even these small, small, things, maybe, just maybe, bigger things will happen.