The next day, they donated or sold all but their essential belongings and took residence in a shelter. After a week of adjusting to shelter life, Dylan began to pass time in the long dinner line by eavesdropping on neighboring conversations. As he waited to receive his bowl of lukewarm potato soup, he tuned in to the animated dialogue between the two men standing in line behind him.

I said, ‘My internet time is not for sale. Your money’s no good here anymore.’ I’ll never forget how red her face got. Strike!”

For the first time in a long while, Dylan felt hope.

THE END