Alliance

      The way that people get to be on the street is different in every case, but the way they get off the street is always the same: someone takes some ownership of their existence and gets them off the street. Reason most people stay on the street so long is, there's no one to take ownership. The state doesn't want to. The city doesn't want to. The people of the city don't want to. It's leading citizens don't. Neighbors don't.

     Of course, people have trouble just taking care of themselves at times, but what's the excuse of the people buying their umpteenth home furnishing? Getting their second car? Second home? How much is ever enough for them to say, I can help my fellow, whom I see every day, struggling to survive?

     Sam found himself wandering for no particular reason, though he pinned things on Candy and then himself and then Candy again only to decide it was nobody's fault. But it didn't matter whose fault it was. He was locked out of the apartment and he didn't think Candy would ever let him back in.

     Lost in Candy's world, he had let his other friendship slip to shit. He now found himself in the awkward situation of having no one to call, and just meandering aimlessly, not knowing exactly where to go. That was just when he ran into Josh.

     "Down on your luck, bud?"
     "I.." Sam looked over at Josh and clammed up. He wasn't talking to no homeless person about his problems.

     "Women kicked you out, didn't she?"
     "How'd you know?"
     "Same thing happened to me about six years ago. Haven't recovered since."
     "Is that right?"
     "Have one piece of advice for you, though."
     Sam looked at him. "Let's hear it."
     "Don't tie one on tonight. Think of who to call while your phone still has service."
     "That's just in, though," Sam admitted despite himself. "I can't think of anyone to call."
     Josh sighed. "I'll tell you what. I know a guy who'll let you crash at his place if you, you know, do him some favors."
     "No way. I'm not doing that!"
     "Then search your thoughts, brother. Use the time wisely?"
     Sam looked through his phone and called the only person he could think of: his coworker.