Lucky I Guess Part I

Today was the big day! I bought a scratch-off ticket two days ago and won $25,000.00! Can you imagine that? Me, a lonely unemployed nobody, strikes it rich. Yee-Hah! So, I'm off to the lottery collections agency to cash in my lucky windfall. The polite gentleman handed me the necessary forms. I feverishly completed them and within 36 minutes was awarded my check. Wow! Me, a single, unrecognized nobody, is clutching a mild fortune. “Zippety-Do-Dah!” Whistling a happy tune, I venture home. Three blocks before reaching my domicile, I spotted a young lad on the corner of Clark Street and 9th Avenue. He was sitting on the cold concrete playing with an energetic puppy - yet, he was crying. "Hey, kid, that's a beautiful puppy you've got." The young boy looked up at me and stammered: "He's not my puppy, Mister. I found him here in the street a little while ago. The doggie has no home." My heart skipped two beats. "Where do you live, son?" The tearful boy crooked his head towards a dilapidated house two lots away from the corner of Clark Street. I didn't think anyone lived there. I paused for a second and then: "Hey, Mister? Do you have an extra quarter?" I was speechless for a moment. "Excuse me, Mister...um, do you have a dime or a quarter? I have two quarters in my pocket. If I get one more I can buy the puppy a can of dog food at the corner store." Containing a smile, I lost my breath. I regained my wits and asked: "Would your Mom and Dad approve of you having a puppy?" The young lad kept his head down and replied: "Well, my Dad is dead. But I know my Mom would like this puppy. It's just that my Mom can't walk and, um... I take care of her and, um...we really wouldn't have enough money to take care of a dog, anyways." My heart was breaking. "What's your name son?" I didn't understand who's tears I was envisioning - his or mine. "Charlie, Mister." "My name's, Charlie." (SEE Part 2 OF THE STORY FOR THE ENDING...) For: Carol Brown I Hepled The Needy contest (This is Part I of the story)