Community Service
Graffiti.
“You have been sentenced to two-hundred hours of community service for defacing public property,” said the judge. After hearing these words, Michael began to regret the large drawing he spray painted on his High School gym wall. He always seemed to be finding himself in these situations. Michael has always been somewhat of a delinquent. He is a tall, husky seventeen-year-old boy. He has the kind of body, perfect for playing Offensive Line on the High School football team. However, he used his body for much more careless, irresponsible things.
Soup Kitchen.
Reluctantly, he begins his community service, working at the Soup Kitchen. Michael plans to work through his community service hours as quickly as possible and get back to his “life.”
Sylvia.
On Michael’s first day working at the Soup Kitchen he sees Sylvia. Sylvia is a petite, young girl with light blue eyes and soft blonde hair. After awhile, Michael starts to notice that Sylvia comes to volunteer at the Soup Kitchen everyday.
Crackers.
On May 29th Sylvia drops a large box of crackers, they go flying everywhere. Michael kneels down to begin helping Sylvia pick up the crackers, she looks at him and says, “No thank you. I do not need your help.” Sylvia starts to be uncomfortable, and even judgemental everytime Michael is around.
Defense.
A few days later. Sylvia is pouring an old man some soup, when suddenly another man waiting in line says something vulgar and disrespectful to her. Michael walks up to the man, looks him in the eye and says, “You will not talk to a young lady that. I will not tolerate your disrespect. You can either escort yourself out of the building or I will escort you out of the building.”
Thank you.
“Thanks for earlier,” says Sylvia with a subtle smile. “You’re welcome.” Michael replies.
The pipe.
Water began spraying everywhere. The guest and employees had no clue what to do. “Michael and… uhh… you, Sylvia, I am putting the two of you in charge of stopping that water and fixing whatever is going on over there.” Michael and Sylvia look at each other. Sylvia shrugs her shoulders as Michael lets out a big sigh.
Working Together.
The two young adolescents begin to tackle their task at hand. At first, working together was tough for them. They most certainly did not enjoy each other’s company. After awhile, Michael finally said to Sylvia, “What’s your problem? Why don’t you like me? Have I ever done anything to you?” Sylvia responds, “Yes. You have. Gang bangers like you are the kind of people who have put Frank in jail!!” Frank? Who is Frank, Michael began to wonder.
Frank.
A little later he asked, “Who is Frank? Frank is my older brother, who is now in jail, because he was blamed guilty for something he did not do! Those boys framed him. They let him take the blame, when he did nothing wrong! He just happened to be in the wrong place at the worst time!”
Blue.
He had nothing to say. Michael worked in silence for awhile. Staring at the blue tiled ground. Michael hates the color blue.
That’s dumb.
“I am sorry. I don’t know what to tell you, except to say I am sorry that that happened to Frank.” Michael finally responded. For awhile, Sylvia had nothing to say.
Then she responded with a question, “What did you do to have to work here anyway?” “Graffiti” he said.
“Oh, I guess that’s not too bad. But… Why would you do anything you know is illegal?”
“The thrill I guess, I am not sure.”
“That is dumb.” Sylvia boldly declared.
Trip to the Store.
They found the source of the leaking water, but realized they needed a new piece from the hardware store before they could finish the job. They drove to Home Depot.
“I think you should stop doing illegal things and just get your act together, Michael.” Sylvia begins to say, “You just seem like the kind of guy that could do really great things, but… instead has been choosing to do lots of silly stupid things.”
“I wouldn’t call them all stupid. Have you ever tried to graffiti? Ha. No, Of course not. You wouldn’t understand.” He responds.
“Well, I am just saying. You seem like a smart, determined guy and I hate to see you waste those strengths. One day you will wind up in jail you know. Maybe you won’t ever fall in love with your lifestyle or even worse…”
“Okay okay. I get your point. Can you stop please?” he says.
“Im sorry. I didn’t mean to ramble,” she replies.
“Can we just talk, not about me and my life?” Michael questions.
“Ya sure.”
Ride Home.
In Home Depot and the entire ride home their conversation went well. They got along and enjoyed conversing about all sorts of topics.
Finishing the task.
The part was in. They fixed the leak. They mopped up the water. Right before they went back to serving the soup to their guests. Michael said to Sylvia, “Thank you. Thank you for not being afraid to be bold with me. Also, for your compliments. You seem like a nice girl. I am sorry about Frank. I can promise you that once I am out of here, I will do my best to steer clear of trouble.” Slvia just gave him a smile, nodded her head and went back to ladling out the soup.
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