The Written Novel of Sweethearts

Chapter Three: Operation Help the Homeless – Part I

A few hours went by, and Anthony arrived back home with his father, and some simple new school supplies. He also had one new pair of jeans, and two new simple shirts. He had to wait until the middle of the school year for new shoes. Anthony looked over his shoulder with a smile, and when he walked into his room, and sighed. He didn't have everything other kids had… but then again, at least he had something at all. He thought wonderingly about a lot of the homeless people in the city. Some of them he knew, some of them he was unfamiliar with. Some of them were very sweet… even if some others weren't so kind. That's probably because they weren't totally trusting though.

He knew they needed help, but he couldn't quite come up with an idea. But wait, maybe Angela could! 'She is very smart…' Anthony thought to himself, rummaging for more paper, and his stubby pencil with the eraser almost gone.

"Dear Angela,

Hello! It's Anthony, and I am glad you are happy with your little 'make-over'. I am grinning from ear to ear right now so you know. I can't wait until I get to see you again. Who knows, maybe with school starting, you'll be taking a few trips to the city. Good thought no? Anyway, speaking of school, it might be hard for us to keep writing… but I have thought up a plan. We can each designate a day for writing. Like say… you on Wednesday, me on Sunday. So we will keep in contact, because we will always write to each other on those days or something.

Also, I became slightly perpl… purpleck… perplexed about something today. And I knew that with you being so smart, you could help! There are lots of homeless people in the city, and well, I think we should do something to help, but I don't know exactly how. Do you have any ideas? If you do, then please write them to me. I (and the city; and the homeless) would greatly appreciate it.

Well, I am running out of things to say in this letter, so I guess I will finish it.

Your friend,

Anthony"

Angela smiled as she read the most current letter from Anthony. It was sweet, but very deep too. She could tell that Anthony really cared about his city, and the people living there. He was a very helpful boy, and she knew he would be thrilled if she gave him some ideas. So quickly, but thoroughly, she devised a plan. It was called… 'Operation: Help the Homeless'. You could donate canned goods, some clothing, or you could even 'Adopt a Family' and help them pay rent to an apartment after helping the adults get jobs, thus getting on their feet, and able to defend themselves.

Yes, this was a good idea. Angela knew it… she just didn't know what the people in the city would think of it. 'Oh well…' She thought to herself, looking for some paper and a pencil.

"Dear Anthony,

I have thought up an idea for helping the homeless people, but I think I should tell you over the phone, so I don't leave anything out.

Also, I can't wait until I see you again, however long that may take. In fact, I also loved your designated writing days idea. It's brilliant! I truly think that you are an intelligent person Anthony. You just work in ways different from everyone else… and I like that. I like that a lot.

Also, I have decided to send you a picture of me right now. So you can see the effects of the make-over. You already know what I looked like before, so a before picture is rather stupid. Do you still look about the same? I would imagine so, because it hasn't been horribly long since summer camp, and I doubt you got a make-over.

Your confidante,

Angela R."

Anthony was watching good old television when the mail slipped through the door. "Oh, the mail's here, good!" He stood up and walked over to the door, and picked up the letters. Sorting through them, he found the letter from Angela- he sat the rest of the mail on the side-table and sat down on the couch. "It's Angela's ideas… or, idea." He said laughing.

He reminded himself she might only have one idea. He opened the letter, and out fell a picture of Angela. It was very pretty. He read the letter's content, laughing especially at the part about him not getting a make-over.

"But, I don't have Angela's phone number…" He said out loud, rather confused. "Oh wait! I know, the Operator." He put the letter and picture back into the envelope, and walked over to the phone. Taking it off the hook, he dialed Operator, and asked for Angela Robinson living in Fairfield, Connecticut.

"Thank you!" Anthony said to the Operator, after of course writing the phone number down. 'Hmm… I wonder if she sounds the same…' He hung up the phone, and was about to pick it up again, when the doorbell rang. 'Who on earth could that be…?' He asked himself as he shoved Angela's number into pocket. Taking the small journey to his front door, he began to hum 'Who Wrote the Book of Love?' a favorite of his. Oh, how he just loved that song!

Opening the door, he saw the milkman. 'Oh, it's just him, the milkman' Anthony thought rather begrudgingly. He did not see it fit at all that he get interrupted while trying to call Angela. "Hiya!" He said cheerfully to the milkman anyway. "Um, hello." The milkman said, looking at Anthony oddly.

"I brought you your milk…" He added, glancing around himself. Obviously he was new to the neighborhood- afraid of muggers- and the job. "Yeah, I'll take it…" Anthony said, taking the milk and closing the door. He sat the milk down on the floor, and headed back to the phone. 'Now, to get back to Angela.' He thought, digging his hands into his pocket for the phone number. Finding it at last, he picked up the receiver and dialed the number.

"Hello?" Came a woman's voice over the phone, after a few rings and a click.

"Hi, my name is Anthony, and I am calling for Angela."

"Oh, I see. Let me get her for you, Anthony."

He heard the phone be sat down gently, and a woman calling for Angela, then going up a set of stairs.

"Angela, the phone's for you!" Mona called up the stairs. "It's a young man named Anthony." She added dramatically as she ran into Angela. "Thank you Mother! I'll take the call now… you don't need to worry." Angela said, running down the stairs.

Mona sighed, grinning. "Teenage girls, and their little boyfriends…"

(Ahh, sorry for the shortness of this chapter, and the wait.)