1. Jacket
Hi. My name is Louis Tomlinson.
A lot of people would call me selfish. Okay, *very* selfish. I don’t think that makes me a bad person, per se. I just don’t like to share. I work hard for my money; why on earth would I want to give it away?
But all that changed when I met him.
——————————————————
Day One
It was a Tuesday afternoon, and I’d just left my soul-crushing office job. Yeah, I know it sucks, but it pays the bills, and that’s all that matters. Stuck at the longest red light in history, I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel of my 2010 Honda Civic. I couldn’t help but notice something—or someone—out of the ordinary.
He was a young man, maybe eighteen. His green eyes were sunken, his curly hair bleached by the sun, his skin weathered and worn. He held up a sign: “Anything Helps, Even a Smile.”
“Wow,” I whispered as the light turned green. I inched forward, passing him. He gave me a dimpled smile. It was the most beautiful smile I’d ever seen.
As I drove away, my heart ached with a sudden, unexpected sadness. But why? He’d chosen to be homeless. It was his own fault, right?
Driving home, I couldn’t shake the image of that smile. God, it was beautiful. But what on earth did he have to smile about? It made me curious.
—
Later that night, curled up on my couch during my twentieth consecutive episode of *The Office*, he crossed my mind again. “He’s probably freezing,” I murmured, tugging at my hoodie sleeves. I felt terrible. I had to do something.
I stood up, rummaging through my closet. I pulled out a large coat and slung it over my arm. As I walked toward the front door, I hesitated. “You don’t even *know* this guy,” I said aloud. “He could be a serial killer, a creep, a druggie.”
I held the doorknob, weighing every possible outcome. Finally, I silenced the argument and opened the door, heading for my car.
—
Driving toward the same red light, I shook my head in disbelief. “What am I doing? What am I doing?” I chanted, glancing at the coat beside me. “Who am I?”
I reached the light, desperately searching for the boy I’d seen earlier. He wasn’t there.
I bit my lip in disappointment. “Well,” I gripped the steering wheel. “I tried.”
Driving home, I passed a park. I squinted. A figure lay on a bench. “Could it be him?”
I spontaneously pulled into the park, trying to get a better look. It was too far to tell.
I sighed, looking at the coat. “Well,” I put the car in park. “It couldn’t hurt to try.”
I grabbed the jacket and opened the car door, walking toward the bench. The brisk air stung my face. How could anyone survive out here?
As I got closer, I saw a head of curly hair, trembling arms wrapped around themselves for warmth. My heart ached. I heard quiet whimpers.
I took a deep breath, approaching him from behind. “Um…” I cleared my throat. “Hi.”
He gasped, looking up. His green eyes were bloodshot, his cheeks wet. Was he crying?
“I’m sorry,” I said quickly. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
He took a shaky breath. “You’re fine. I—I just get scared easily.”
“I can only imagine.” I gripped the jacket tighter, and he looked down at it.
“Um…” I lifted the jacket higher. “This is for you. I figured you might need it more than I do.”
He shook his head. “I—It’s okay. I wouldn’t want to take it from you.”
“No. It’s fine.” I pushed the jacket onto him. “I want you to have it.”
He lifted his arms. “Are you sure?”
I chuckled. “Yes. Take it.”
He grabbed the jacket, quickly putting it over his worn t-shirt.
“Thank you so much,” he said sincerely. “I don’t know how to repay you.”
“Consider it a gift.” I smiled as I saw his shivering lessen.
He smiled back.
“Anyway,” I cleared my throat. “I should let you get some rest.”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “Thanks again. I—I appreciate it so much.”
“No problem.” I muttered awkwardly. “Well… uh. See you around?”
I quickly turned away, fumbling for my keys and heading back to my car.
As I sat there, I couldn’t help but smile at my small act of kindness.
“Dang it,” I clutched the steering wheel. “I should have asked his name.”
I shook my head. Maybe tomorrow.