Ted and the group of thousands limped their way back home through the same boring suburbs they had tramped through earlier that morning. Ted, nursing his wounds from his encounter with the prosecutor, was inflicting a further beating upon himself inside his own mind. All of the organizing, all of the planning. Totally worthless! Who was he to think he could bring about change for this group of people? People who in a relatively short period of time had gone form random folks he didn’t even know existed, to become family. Why did the judge sit idly by as insanity was happening? Ted’s thoughts and emotions were obviously jumbled as they approached the hill of dirt and weeds that separated their tent city from the outside world. One final obstacle to climb before returning to their mediocre lives.
As Ted, Allison, Lawson, and Vernon started up the hill, the rest of the group followed them like obedient sheep. Ted heard the unmistakable sound of heavy machinery. He couldn’t believe it. The police were probably tearing their tents and livelihoods down at this very moment. Ted began running. The others followed. As he crested the top of the hill, Ted saw all manner of excavators, backhoes, and trucks that he didn’t even know the name of. Filled with unspeakable rage, Ted ran down the hill, stumbling several times.
“What do you think you are doing?” Ted screamed a scream that could be heard over the roar of the trucks. One man emerged from the cockpit of a backhoe.
“Hey bud! You must be Ted! You’re awesome.” He said.
Ted was confused and taken aback. At this point a large crowd had formed around him.
“We all heard about your plight and wanted to help as best we could.” Said the man. “We pooled together some money and bought this land from the city. We are going to build homes for you! We are happy to do this! It’ll take time to get everything fully ready, but you all will have roofs over your head, and we won’t stop until you all have what you deserve.”
A huge cheer erupted from the community of former tent dwellers. They hoisted Ted and Allison onto their solders. Ted couldn’t believe it. For once in his life he had been a part of something bigger than himself, and it was actually successful. This was going to take a while to sink in. Allison tapped him on the shoulder, and suddenly Ted found himself in the middle a very unforeseen kiss. Apparently he had accomplished his friendship goals with Allison as well.
The crowd carried them over to an extremely thoughtful barbecue event. Ted was a newcomer. He had only been here for a few months. Most of these people had been here all their lives. He was overjoyed that together they were all able to improve their lives and change society around them for the better. This story was never about one hero. Ted would not take all the credit. Vernon would, but he got lost in the crush of the crowd somewhere.
It was safe to say that the former tent community ate well that night, and partied harder than ever before. Life was new again. It was time to take advantage of it.
END