Page 83 - The Houseguest

CONTACT
Computer stations were scarce at the shelter, so “tech time” was limited. Brian had only 20 minutes remaining in his daily allotment, though he wasn’t sure anyone was monitoring anyway. Regardless, he would use the time before lights out to check if there had been interest in his newly revised profile. He spent the day reading everything he could get his hands on to become up-to-date with the world enough to carry on an intelligent conversation with a would-be houseguest sponsor. He memorized political names, the president and vice president, the secretary of state, and secretary of defense. He read current events, both worldwide and domestic. He knew bits and pieces from the news they’d watch on TV in prison, but he never cared enough to remember anything. But today, he had a reason and a purpose.
Around 8PM he went into the computer room and logged on to the HRP website. He didn’t expect a response this quickly, but curiosity got the best of him. After all he thought, I wrote a damn good profile. He smirked as he mumbled under his breath: “Hell, I’d adopt me!” The Internet was slow here as they could probably only afford the slowest speed option. He waited while the site filled in the graphics of trees and other symbols of hope they’d selected. He thought, if I were a website designer, I’d include less photos so the site would load faster, and add more user-friendly content. Hmmm... website design. Perhaps that’s what he would choose as his rehabilitation goal. He had listed his vocation aspirations currently as “undecided.”
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The Houseguest by Linda Ellis www.LindaEllis.life