Page 79 - The Houseguest

thought back what had worked for him in the past. Sympathy. If there’s one thing that rich people have -- sympathy for those less fortunate, those born into scenarios of abuse and poverty. They use sympathy to help those in need, thus reconciling their own pangs of intermittent guilt about having far more wealth than they know they deserve.
He would begin with his wretched childhood, born into hardships the likes of which they’d not seen or heard before. When he was done, they’d be shedding tears reading his profile and standing in line to make him their “houseguest.” He would turn the tables so that he is choosing them instead. Then when the program begins, he’ll be given a stable address and a cell phone. At that point, he will reach out to Laura and show her that he, too, has become a righteous, or at least respectable, individual.
He worked for hours on his profile. There was a section titled: “In Your Own Words” where the ex-cons could explain their charges, share their history and basically bullshit their way through the process. He overemphasized the positives like how he’d overcome his addictions, was a model prisoner, and earned early release. He didn’t need to embellish on his childhood, it was as bad as anything he could’ve exaggerated. He clarified the kidnapping which, though he didn’t add this to his explanation, was a bogus charge. A woman he had befriended from the streets decided she would seek refuge from her abusive husband by staying with Brian, Laura and his father. She soon built a makeshift shelter inside their storage shed complete with an area rug and flowered curtains. She worked at a local diner and made enough in tips to give his father $25 a week, so everyone seemed
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The Houseguest by Linda Ellis www.LindaEllis.life