"Come back to bed baby..."
Brent stood at the window looking out over the multicolored displays of the Vegas skyline, fingering the worn string of beads around his neck and wondering what ever happened to the old man who had changed his life forever. It had been nothing; a simple act of generosity -- something that anyone would have done -- but it had triggered a series of fortunate events that resulted in him finding the needle of happiness in a haystack of despair.
Nikki's moist breath tickled the back of his neck a split second before he felt her snuggle up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist and pressing her warm, naked body against his back. She whispered, "Come back to bed baby. You've done all you can for today." She raked her manicured fingernails down across his abs as she slid a practiced hand past the waistband of his pajamas. "Let me take your mind off it for a while," she cooed.
An hour later Nikki was draped naked across him, her golden hair splayed across his chest as she slept soundlessly. Brent envied the way she could just turn off her mind and fall asleep she soon as closed her eyes. He had no such switch and knew he would still be awake for hours to come, thinking of that night when the old man saved him.
* * *
The day had started like any other normal day. Brent had gone to work and spent most of the day on the phone trying to close a deal with a new client. He was just an average investment banker, one of those many that garnered small fees while the elite few played golf or sat in bars and managed the "big deals". He had asked many times how they did it, and their reply was always the same, "Just lucky, I guess."
It was the last day of the month and at midday his boss had come by and handed him an envelope. Apparently Brent's numbers just weren't good enough and he was being let go. So were a number of other people but Brent had hoped his friends and connections would protect him. Disappointed, he cleaned out his office and then called his wife Evelyn to tell her the bad news.
Evelyn was the love of his life. Brent had met her right after grad school and they had been married a year later in a lavish ceremony paid for by her parents. She was everything a budding executive could ever want in a wife; beautiful, charming, well educated, and good in bed. Lately she had been a little distant, but Evelyn had supported him through all the other ups and downs of his career and Brent was sure she would do so again. Imagine his surprise when she told him not to bother coming home; she was through with him.
Bewildered, Brent called his best friend, hoping he could stay with him until Evelyn came to her senses. David was sympathetic, but said, "I don't think that will work out since Evelyn and I have been having an affair for the last six months." "Well," thought Brent, "that certainly explains a few things."
After that a stunned calm came over him. Some men might have considered suicide, but for Brent the only conceivable option was to go to home; back to his roots; back to the place where he had always felt most comfortable, Las Vegas. After all, what did he have to lose? He drove to the bank, cashed his last paycheck, cleaned out his savings, bought a couple changes of clothes and a small duffel bag, and headed to the airport.
* * *
Brent tipped the dealer with his last $25 chip and walked away from the table. He had a surprising spring in his step considering he had lost over $5000 in the last 4 hours playing Blackjack. It might have been funny if it wasn't so depressing. He realized ironically that his luck was the only thing in his life that hadn't changed in the last 24 hours. He chuckled, "At least Evelyn will never see a penny of that money!"
Completely broke except for some loose change and the two crisp fifty dollar bills he had stashed in his wallet, Brent picked up his duffle from the coat check and headed down the strip looking for a coffee shop. He needed a quiet place to hang out for a few hours while he decided what he was going to do next.
It was a cool, crisp night -- typical of winter in the desert -- and Brent turned up his coat collar to ward off the chill. He had been walking for some time when he came across an obviously homeless old man huddled against a brick wall, hawking trinkets from a small cardboard box. Stopping, he squatted in front of the old beggar to see what he had.
Brent was one of those kind people who were always willing to toss a little spare change to anyone less fortunate than themselves. His parents had taught him that no matter how bad things were, there was always someone you could help. Brent had always been respectful of that lesson even though Evelyn had constantly chastised him for it saying, "Why do you always do that. You know they'll just spend it on booze and drugs!"
"What do you have there mister?" Brent asked sincerely.
The old man appeared to be frail, but when he looked up at Brent there was a spark of life in his eyes that was somehow inspirational. He motioned for Brent to come closer and showed him the box saying, "Sacred charms." Brent could see that they were just dime store trinkets and other worthless junk.
He asked the old man, "When was the last time you ate?"
The old man sighed, "The spirit of the lights provides for me."
Brent gently helped him up and said, "Why don't you come with me?"
There was a diner on the corner just ahead. Brent led the old man inside and sat him down in a booth despite the disapproving looks from the waitress, and then went to the counter asking for a telephone book. He looked up the nearest shelter and found that it was only three blocks away. As he walked down the street with the old man he said, "My name is Brent. What do they call you?"
The old man paused as if trying to remember something long forgotten, "Most just call me names I don't understand. Long ago I was called Jacob."
"Well, it is nice to meet you Jacob. Let's get you someplace warm for the night."
The shelter was a typical mission run by a church. Brent led Jacob inside and became worried when he saw that the place was packed. There was an attractive young woman behind a counter doling out meals and coffee. He walked over to her and asked, "Do you have room for one more? I don't think he'll make it through the night outside."
He saw the woman's face soften, and she said, "Sure. We'll find a spot for him. Just go sit down and I'll come help you in a bit."
Brent found a place at one of the tables and sat down across from Jacob. He watched the young woman as she served soup and bread to those who wanted it. She was quite pretty and well dressed, obviously a volunteer. It was amazing how her smile brightened up the depressing room.
After a few minutes she came over and brought Jacob a bowl of soup and a large, hot dinner roll. Then she sat down beside Brent. "Sorry it took so long but it has been a busy night." She held out her hand, "By the way, my name is Nikki Blake."
He took her hand gently and shook it saying, "Nice to meet you Nikki, my name is Brent Spaulding."
"Where did you find him?"
"Only a couple blocks from here. I was just out for a walk and I ran across him."
Nikki asked, "Do you live nearby?"
Brent paused for a second, "No. I just flew in today."
Nikki smiled, "Ah. I see. And how was your luck?"
"Same as usual. All bad," Brent replied with a smile on his face.
Nikki laughed. She had a husky, sultry, laugh that he found quite intriguing. "Well, you seem pretty upbeat about it. Where are you staying? You are quite a long way from the strip."
"Oh...I am heading to my sisters place, a few miles out of town and I really should get going. Can you make sure Jacob gets this in the morning?" Brent handed her his last $100."
