Homeless for over two years, Merl has hunkered down to endure a second winter in Eden, Colorado. He has lost the ability to trust or accept kindness as anything but a sneaky attempt to weaken for an attack. He sells aluminum cans and other trash to survive, knowing he should attempt to get back into the mainstream but he lacks the will to try.<br><br>Nate has led a sheltered and privileged life as the only child of wealthy older parents, now deceased. He is working on a photo journalism piece about the homeless people in Eden when he first encounters Merl. The big man impresses him so much that when an early blizzard hits, he goes back to the camps try to bring Merl and others to shelter in his own home.<br><br>Can he win Merl’s trust and cooperation in an effort to provide positive long term help to other homeless people in the area? Even more important, can he forge a real partnership with the suspicious older man?

Homeless in Heaven

“Show me where to go, and I’ll take him and lay him on the bed. If you have an old spread or blanket or something—he’s pretty grungy.”


Nate nodded. Merl swung the man’s limp body up as easily as Nate would lift a child and followed him to another bedroom.


“This hallway holds what were probably quarters for the household staff at one time,” Nate explained.


The neat, warm, little room shared a bath with another similar room. The bed was not made. Nate rummagedin the closet and found a couple of old blankets. “Here, these will do for now.” He threw one over the mattress.


Merl put the man down and they spread the other blanket over him.


“Now for you,” Nate said. “There’s one more room down here or you can go upstairs.”


“This’ll be fine,” Merl said. “I know none of your clothes will fit me, but if you have a robe or something for temporary, I can wash these and maybe mend them some. I have a sewing kit in my stuff out in the car. You do have a washer, don’t you?”


Chapter 8