An Unlikely Apponent

Flash Fiction (500 words)

Sleeping in the doorway that I had sheltered in many times before just happened to bring upon me an event that, at first, seemed insignificant. It was, however, to become one of the most significant events of my life.

The door opened and in his haste, the gentlemen rushed past me, dropping a piece of paper from his bundle of files. With the piece of paper in hand, I went after him but my good deed was met with contempt. 

Before I was able to explain my intention was only to return the paper he had dropped. He spat out words of warning telling me if I wanted loose change, he had none to give.
Then with a sneering glance, he bundled into a taxi and was gone.

On viewing the document I became very aware of its importance and the need for me to ensure it was returned to him directly. That was what I would do the next day. 

That night I slept lightly in the doorway waiting for morning to come and bring me the opportunity to return the document to his safe hands. 

Morning came and I tried again.

Again I was not able to explain my intention before he pushed me to the ground, warning me that should I ever approach him again, he would see to it that I was arrested. Then he was gone again. 

That night and the many nights that followed, I slept in a new doorway pondering how I could return the document to him without my arrest. I had to make sure it was returned to him. It was imperative knowing the importance of it. 

One cold morning, my thoughts were interrupted when towards the road, heading for the path of a car, ran a little girl. Instinct kicked in and as her feet left the curb, I was already there and with a swing of my arms I lifted her back to safety.

Her mother's face first full of fear then changed to one of gratitude. 

That gratitude was eternally shown that day and every day over the coming weeks by ensuring I had a hot meal in the local cafe. 

More rewarding to me though was her insistence on joining me and offering her conversation to me. One person now saw me and my coat of invisibility was gone.

We started to become friends. A friendship that made me part of a community over time.

A community, I learnt that was at risk of being ruined though. Fighting a battle they were losing with the very same gentlemen I had encountered before.

Now as fate would have it, it turned out that his document, still in my possession unable to be returned, was his downfall. 

Its contents ended up changing the game and securing victory for the community. My community! 

How ironic that I was a person the gentleman refused to see, the one who did not matter but the one who mattered most in the end. 

Tammy L. Donoghue