Jesse put his nose into the soft, warm steam. Only for a second. Then,
like any hungry seven year old, he could hardly move his spoon to his
mouth fast enough.
His mom, Leslie, watched her brown-haired young son, her eyes filling, then brimming, then overflowing with warm tears. Relief. Humiliation. Pain. Confusion. Disbelief that Jesse was here with dozens of other children whose families were statistically labeled "below poverty level/working poor." Eating free meals.
Jesse didn't understand either. Just as he hadn't understood why his dad had been in the hospital for such a long time. Or why he had died. Or why they had had to move from their home. Or why his mom was away from home working so much. Or why he was hungry.
Jesse's teacher had told Leslie about the Kids Cafe that just opened in Camp Washington only a few blocks from their apartment. Now, several times a week, Jesse can breathe the warmth of the spicy stew and the tidy, cheerful church hall. And Leslie can breathe hope for a better tomorrow.
His mom, Leslie, watched her brown-haired young son, her eyes filling, then brimming, then overflowing with warm tears. Relief. Humiliation. Pain. Confusion. Disbelief that Jesse was here with dozens of other children whose families were statistically labeled "below poverty level/working poor." Eating free meals.
Jesse didn't understand either. Just as he hadn't understood why his dad had been in the hospital for such a long time. Or why he had died. Or why they had had to move from their home. Or why his mom was away from home working so much. Or why he was hungry.
Jesse's teacher had told Leslie about the Kids Cafe that just opened in Camp Washington only a few blocks from their apartment. Now, several times a week, Jesse can breathe the warmth of the spicy stew and the tidy, cheerful church hall. And Leslie can breathe hope for a better tomorrow.
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