More Than We Bargained For

Darwin sat on the end of his chair, elbows resting on his knees, hands supporting his leaning forehead. Remember your quote of the day, he said to himself. Spend time writing every day, and you will get more than what you bargained for.

"Okay, Darwin, shake it off. You can do this. It's just a piece of paper. All you have to do is sit down and write on it."

"Go!"

"I can't!"

I need to get out of here and go for a walk. Maybe something outside will inspire me.

***

Darwin squinted from the sun in his eyes, scrutinizing every person who passed by on the busy streets of New York. Could SHE be a character in my story? wondered Darwin. What about him? He looks a little gruff. Maybe I should follow him and see where he goes and what he's up to. He's heading into the Greyhound Bus Station.

***

A twenty-something man with scraggly hair and jeans with the knees ripped out stood at the ticket window counting out loose change to pay for his fare. He stuffed the ticket into his pocket, sat on a bench, pulled a piece of jerky from his backpack, and chawed off a hunk. Darwin went over and sat next to him, shooting him a passing smile. He reciprocated, and Darwin said, "It looks like a good day for traveling. Where are you headed?"

"Just a couple of hours north of here. I'm going to visit my Grandpa."

"That's nice that you look out for him."

"Yeah, my Grandma died last year, and Grandpa is kind of lost without her. I help him out with making some food and cleaning the yard. He's getting a little forgetful, but he still wants to stay in the old house for now."

"I'm sure he appreciates you. You still in school?"

"Yeah. I'm paying my own way through university. I plan to be a teacher someday. I go to school in the day and work part-time at night. It's tiring, but it'll pay off someday. What about you?"

"Me? I'm a writer. Well, a novice really. I came here today with a big case of writer's block and need some inspiration."

"So, you're not going on a bus trip today?"

"No. I’ve set my sight on writing a best-selling novel. I need to go home and get my butt back in my chair soon."

"Maybe I can send some help your way. I've got a friend, an agent for a big publishing company. I'm Henry," he said, extending his hand. "Here's my number. If you send me a sample of your work, I'll pass it on to my friend. Gotta go now. I wish you the best with your story."

"Thanks, Henry." You can't judge a book by its cover, he thought to himself.

***

A little girl, about four years old, holding her older brother's hand, walked up to Darwin, and with her "th" instead of "s" lisp, announced, "My mommy hath canther an' we're goin' to live with my Aunt Thally until mommy get'th better."

Her older brother said, "Sara, we don't talk to strangers."

Sara said, "I thorry. I'n thcared. Are you thcared, Robbie?"

"No. Aunt Sally will take care of us. We just have to be good and work hard so that we can save up enough money to help pay for mom's medicine. Then we can go home. We'll be alright. You'll see."

Darwin noticed that Sara was wearing one of those little notes that parents pin to the back of their kid's shirts in case they get lost.

***

A small, silver-haired woman shuffled along with her cane in one hand and her rolling luggage being pushed along with the other. She hadn't noticed that her ticket slipped out of her hand and dropped to the floor. Darwin scooted out of his seat and picked it up. "Excuse me, Ma'am. You dropped your ticket."

"Oh, thank you, young man. I wouldn't have gotten too far without that now, would I? My eyes aren't so good anymore. I was wondering if you could look at my ticket and see what gate I have to go to for my bus."

"It's gate 38. We're at 19 right now, so it's a fair piece to walk. Can I help you with your bag?"

"Oh, that would be so kind of you. What's your name dear?"

"It's Darwin. May I ask yours?"

"I'm Emma Norton. I live in the senior's building over on Sprucedale. I appreciate your help, Darwin. You know, it's not nice getting old. I can't get around as I used to, and I don't have much family left now. I'm traveling to my sister's place. She's two years younger than me. She'll be 81 this month. We're all that's left now out of the nine of us."

"Well, I'm sure she will be glad to see you."

"Yes, she's looking forward to it and so am I. I would move there if I could afford it, but these darn pensions don't give you hardly enough to pay for your rent and buy a few foods these days. It's a shame the government doesn't take better care of us old folks."

"You are right about that Miss Emma. I think that our elderly ones deserve so much more for all their hard work and life experience that they contributed to society."

"Well, thank you, Darwin. I wish there were more people like you."

"You are very welcome. Here's gate 38."

"The time didn't seem so long at all because I had such good company."

"I hope you have a lovely trip, Miss Norton."

"Thank you, dear."

***

On the way back to his seat, Darwin spotted a piece of paper on the floor. He bent to pick it up and noticed that it said, "My name is Sara Tompson. Address: 295 Lindy Lane, New York, NY. My mom is Shelley. If you see that I am lost, please call my mom at 324-699-2827. Since Sara and her brother were long gone, Darwin tucked the note into his coat pocket and returned to his seat. Two young women came along and sat near him, bubbling over about their plans.

"What do you want to do first when we get there?" asked twenty-one-year-old Melissa.

"I want to go see the whales. Then I want to go to the camp and see where we’ll be staying," said her friend Sophie.

"I think we'll be in a Bunkie with two other nurses," said Melissa.

"I wish we could do more. There are so many sick and injured miners in Nunavut. I don't know how we'll be able to keep up without any doctors coming in."

"Maybe our Facebook page will help," said Melissa.

"It could... if only we could just spread the word faster. Then we could build a better facility and get more supplies right out where the miners are."

"Excuse me, ladies. I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. I'd like to check out your Facebook page and read up about your mission," said Darwin. "It sounds interesting."

"Sure," said Sophie. "Here is our business card."

"I might know some people who would like to support your cause."

"That would be great!" said Melissa and Sophia in unison.

***

Darwin's growling stomach told him it was time to go home and get some lunch. As he strode along the pathway through the park, his gait was more energetic and purposeful. Now he had his characters. Now he had his story.

***

Back at home, Darwin slapped together a sandwich and parked himself in front of his computer screen. Yes, the paper was white. Yes, there was nothing on it…yet. But this time it was different. Darwin started typing. Feverishly. He kept on typing until his eyes were blurry. He kept at it every single day until it was finished. Thirty days, and three hundred pages.

***

Darwin kept the number that Henry had given him. With shaky fingers, he dialed Henry's cell.

"Sure, I'd be happy to set you up with Marvin," said Henry. "Your writing is good. I’m sure he can do something to help you get started."

"Thanks so much, Henry. I hope to return the favor someday."

"Aww, it's nothing," said Henry.

***

The phone rang, startling Darwin out of a state of drowsiness. "Hello? Is this Darwin Thatcher?"

"Yes, it is."

"This is Marlene Dickson of Penderson Publishing House. We have looked over your manuscript, and we would like to publish your book. I can fax you a contract today for your perusal."

"What? Are you kidding me? Of course, yes, you can fax me a contract."

"If you find our offer is agreeable to you, Penderson will send you an advance of five thousand dollars."

Darwin hung up the phone and leaped into a fist-pumping dance of joy. "And I know exactly what I'm going to do with that advance," said Darwin.

***

Darwin got out the phone book and looked up the name Emma Norton, on Sprucedale. He got her address, made out a check for one-thousand dollars, and put it in an envelope with a note that read, "Dear Miss Emma, please use this money to move near your sister. I hope you enjoy the rest of your lives together. ~Your friend from the Bus Station."

Then Darwin took out the little paper with Sara's name and address on it. He smiled, recalling Sara's lisp. He wrote out a bank draft for one-thousand dollars and popped it into an envelope with a note that said, "It’s not nearly enough but I’m sure you can use this for medicines and treatments for your mom. ~Just a small gift from a stranger."

Next, he went to Melissa and Sophie's Facebook Fund-Me page and made an anonymous donation of one-thousand dollars towards their medical facility.

Lastly, Darwin got out Henry's contact info and sent him an e-transfer for one-thousand dollars. His message read, "For all the help that you gave me, know that your kindness did not go unnoticed. I got a contract for my book, and my agent, Marvin, thinks it's going to be a best-seller. I got an advance for five thousand dollars thanks to you, and I am following your example and paying it forward. Take this money and use it for your education. You deserve it, man. You are already one awesome teacher. Best wishes, Darwin."

Darwin sat down at his computer and stared at the new blank page of his next book. I guess we all got more than we bargained for, he thought to himself.

***

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