The End

          Graduation day had arrived and everyone was filled with excitement. It had been a long day as each student waited their turn to receive their hard earned diploma. Almost everyone in the senior class, including the teachers and staff were sad that Norton had not been able to finish his senior requirements on time.

         Even though Norton had accomplished bringing positive attention to the homeless plight there was a feeling of honest incompleteness without him on the stage. However, Norton had been named the first ever Wood Berry High School Senior Community Citizen for all of his good works.

         James and Si stood beside one another as their moms took another picture of them in their cap and gown. For both mothers this day seemed as though it would never come and yet, here they stood looking at both of their graduates. There was a great sense of pride at how James and Si had stepped up when something so important needed to be handled.

         Feeling the need to get out of his gown James finally held his hand up waving at his mom, "OK, OK, that's enough pictures for now. Mom, really? Take it easy it's just high school graduation." he grinned at her as he bumped Si in the shoulder continuing, "Hey, I could use a little help here."

          Si looked at James with that funny expression she always gave him, “Oh yea, right. Mom, James and I really have something important to do. We have plans, ya know?" She arched her right eyebrow as if to queue her mom to stop already.

         “Right, plans. Okay, but maybe we could make a couple more later on." Si's mom replied. Answering in unison, "James and Si both said, “No." They snickered as each looked at the other shaking their heads.

         Norton had been waiting for the ceremony to end so he could go find the few classmates that would be gathering with him for the senior’s farewell event this evening. He had hoped that his idea would be one that many of his friends would want to be a part of today.

          Moving through the crowd he found each person he was looking for and one by one they stood under the big oak tree huddled together waiting on the rest of their buddies. Norton made his way to James and Si nodding his head at them asking,

“You guys ready?" Not wanting to ignore the moms Norton spoke to them as well, “Hi, don't mean to steal the kids, but we do have plans. You mind if I borrow them for awhile?"

         “No, no, of course. You all go on and enjoy yourselves. Norton it's good to see you. Say hi to your mothers for me." Simone's mom replied.

         “Me too Norton." James mother spoke up as well. Turning to look at James and Si, Norton smiled only saying, "You know where to find us. See you there?"

         James bumped Si again looking at her with those baby blue eyes, “Guess we need to get going."

         "Yep. Mom, see you later. I won't be too late." Si moved closer to her mother and gave her kiss on her cheek. Then she turn and walked away heading for the other graduates.

         James leaned over hugged his mom saying, “We’re going with Norton to do good things. I promise we'll be home at a descent hour." With that he turned to follow Simone.

         James and Simone stood outside of the building three blocks down from the bank where Walter Gibbs was still the president of the First Trust and Banking Company. The building was quiet large with a huge amount of square footage. Outside the building were five very large ex-football players from Wood Berry High working on hanging a sign above the opening door.

         There was a special event that was being hosted by several churches and businesses along with many of the graduating seniors and other residents from all over town. This building had been donated by Mr. Gibbs and the bank as one of the first homeless shelters.

         It needed some work on the inside and out, but so many professional business owners had gladly donated time and supplies in order to get it ready for housing. Norton had asked several of the teachers and staff as well as many of his fellow classmates to lend a hand.

         James and Si stood looking at the sign that was being hung above the doorway. It simply read, "Welcoming Wood Berry's Brothers and Sisters with Love.” Both James and Si couldn't help but feel a great sense of pride. After all in many ways they helped to make this home for the needy become a reality.

         Norton opened the door waving them inside, "Hey, y'all coming? We could use a hand in here. We have opening day coming up and we have folks that need us."

         Si looked at James, shrugged her shoulders asking, “Well, we gonna do this thing?"

         James threw his arm around her shoulder, pulled her close to him and kissed the top of her head as he let out a slight snort, "Yeap, looks that way. You ready sweet girl? You with me?" he asked.

         Si grabbed James waist squeezing him tightly as she looked back at him smiling, “To the ends of the world and further if need be, forever and always."

         The summer would yield more housing accommodations for the homeless men and women and their children. The dream of one young man had not only allowed help for those in need of a place to find shelter, his dream open up channels that enable a whole community to build on...........

         One freaky night a young man risked so much in order to change his community for the better. A risk that yielded more than anyone could ever have thought possible.

         To the ends of the world and further, for the betterment of all mankind. This truly is humanity at its best.

FOR THOSE WHO NEED OUR HELP, WE ARE HUMANITY; WE NEED TO BE AT OUR BEST.