A Place in Heaven

By Nelson Ancalmo

After witnessing a horrible tragedy in which his beloved wife is killed, John Sanford, a veteran from the Gulf War, finds himself living in the streets of Austin, Texas as another homeless man.
His fortuitous encounter with Julia Chavez, the manager of a downtown branch of the Bank of Austin, changes his entire life.
So it begins a series of events in which the homelessness and hunger in America become the centerpiece.
In an effort to find a solution to the problem, they write with the help from a group of friends, a proposal for a bill which ends causing serious conflicts among a few Senators of the Texas legislature.
The story is in a sense a plea for people living in our society, to think of ways of fighting this shameful disaster that is happening in every large city of our country.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nelson Ancalmo
• Release date: Aug 27, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310782039

Nelson Ancalmo

Nelson Ancalmo M.D. was born in San Salvador, El Salvador, Central America. After finishing his Medical School, he traveled to the United States to complete his training in Cardio-Vascular Surgery. Presently he is retired and lives in Austin, Texas where he devotes his free time to writing, graphic design, astronomy and music. e-mail: [e-mail]

Book preview

Chapter 1

Julia Chavez didn’t feel like going to work on that cold Friday morning, she really felt like she was about to die. Her throat was burning as it had been scratched with a dozen hot knives, and the constant coughing was taking away what ever strength was left in her body. And if that was not enough, the fever and the chills had her trembling, and the left side of her chest was hurting so bad she thought she had broken a rib. Without any question, this was the worst case of the flu she had ever suffered.

All she wanted at the moment was to roll back in bed, wrap herself in a blanket and forget the outside world. She had taken enough medications to knock her out, and without a doubt the downtown branch of the First Bank of Austin where she worked as the Manager, could function well enough without her presence, in any case, the way she was feeling, she doubted if she could be of any assistance to anybody. She found her cell-phone and managed to call her secretary.

Susan, this is Julia Chavez, I’m calling to let you know I’m not coming to work today, I’m feeling really sick with the flu, but I’ll be home if you need me.

She sounded as bad as she was feeling.

Don’t you worry, Ms. Chavez, will take care of things here. I hope you feel better, if something comes up, we’ll give you a call. Anything I can do for you? Medicines? Food?

No thanks, Susan, I’ve taken enough medicines to kill a bear and I’m not hungry at all, thanks anyway.

Ms. Chavez, forgive me for asking, but have you seen a doctor? You sound like you’re very sick, I can come by your place and pick you up, what do you say?

Susan, I saw Dr. Chambers yesterday, is just a bad case of the flu, all I need is the usual medicines and lots of rest, thanks again.

If you need anything just call me, I’m planning to stay home. With this cold weather coming down tonight I don’t feel like going anywhere. I really hope you get to feel better, and it would be good for you to rest, at least for the weekend, see you Monday, Ms. Chavez.

Susan, please don’t worry about me, I’ll survive, just make sure everything is taken care before you leave.

She ended the call and placing her head on the pillow, pulled a blanket and covered her head with it.

So much for the damn flu vaccine, what a waste of time!

She was feeling sleepy, the medications were beginning to take effect, maybe there was a chance she could rest for a while.

Outside her apartment the wind was blowing steady, it was going to be a cold winter in central Texas, just as the weather-man had predicted. The jet stream carrying cold Arctic air from the North was dipping all the way down to San Antonio bringing with it freezing temperatures and lots of snow, and in some places, lots of ice. But Julia didn’t care for any of this, at the moment, all she was concerned with was to find a way to get comfortable and endure the terrible symptoms of the flu.

Somewhere in downtown Austin, things were going in a completely different direction for John Sanford. By the time he learned about the cold weather threatening the city, it was already too late. The best places under the highway overpasses had been taken, and the same was true for most of the beds available in the local shelters. After standing in line outside the Salvation Army for the last four hours freezing with the cold wind, and just when he was getting close to the entrance, the person in charge came out and told them in no uncertain terms that the place was already full. He and several dozen homeless people found themselves late in the afternoon with no place to go, feeling the cold air that was already beginning to creep deep into their bones.

John knew that if he wanted to survive, he had to find some kind of protection against the weather, maybe a doorsill or a building entrance, anything to shield him from the cold, and he better find it soon before the night came down, under cloudy skies, it was already getting dark.

Quickly he left the place and began walking along the almost empty streets, checking every door and every corner, trying to find a place that could function as a shelter, and give him some kind of protection through the night. The rest of the homeless dispersed, everyone looking for the same thing.

When he looked down, he saw his old friend trotting alongside with him.

You must be the most stubborn dog I have seen in my entire life. Why do you keep following me? I’ve told you a thousand times I don’t like dogs, I like to be alone! Don’t you understand what I’m saying? Just go your way and I’ll go mine, no hard feelings.

The shabby looking mongrel didn’t pay attention to his words, and when John stopped and told him with his hands to go, the poor animal just sat on his hind legs a few feet away from him, and waited wagging his tail. John knew it was a waste of time, this dog, this mutt without a name or a master, had been following him since the day he woke up for the first time under an overpass bridge. Shaking his head, he continued with his search for a shelter.

Call it luck or destiny, sometimes it’s difficult to tell the difference between one and the other, but whatever it was, as he turned the corner in front of the old building of the First Bank of Austin, he stumbled on the uneven sidewalk and landed on a grill where the warm air coming from the heating system was vented. He scraped his hands and knees as he fell down and cursed as loud as he could, but then, he saw the miracle he had been praying for.

Oh my God, this is perfect, I can survive here through the night, and since today is Friday the Bank won’t be open for the next couple of days, by then I can figure something else, or the cold snap may be over. Thank you, Jesus, I knew you wouldn’t abandon me.

He managed to curl-up over the grill, and the warm air coming through felt like the cozy blanket he had been hankering for. A moment later, he felt the dog curling next to him.

OK, you old mutt, you win, come close to me, there is room enough for both of us.

It was already dark and it wasn’t long before he was sound asleep, and for the first time in years, John Sanford, the old veteran of so many combat missions slept and dreamt of his mother and the happy days of his childhood.

Chapter 2

The snow started to come down before midnight. First it was just a few flurries mixed with rain, but in the next few hours it turned in to a heavy snow fall. With the temperatures already below the freezing level, it began to accumulate in the streets, the streets of a city not used to this kind of wintry weather.

On the next day, the sun came up obscured by dark clouds, the dreary light illuminated a blanket of white and fluffy snow, a white quilt that covered the entire city, and more snow was still coming down. The few trucks available at the Department of Highways, began making the main roads passable, but with such limited equipment they concentrated on the highways and the streets where traffic was expected, the rest of the city would have to wait.

John woke up at dawn, he wasn’t used to remain asleep for longer than what he considered necessary, living in the streets required to be always on the alert, aware of potential assailants. He felt rested and for some unknown reason, happy. Maybe he was happy that he found this refuge and was allowed to live through the cold night, or maybe the memories of his dear mother had awaken dormant feelings of joy and solace in his troubled soul. The dog was not there, he was already gone and he didn’t feel any movement, but he was sure he was coming back.

He stood up and to his amazement saw that the snow was more than two feet high, and because of the warm air coming through the grill, it had accumulated around making it looked like a roofless igloo resting on the sidewall of the building. He laughed at his occurrence, and as he was stretching his aching bones, he heard the sounds of his empty stomach.

When was the last time he had a decent meal? When was the last time he sat in a table and enjoyed a fresh and clean breakfast? All he remembered in the past days, was getting food out of trash bins in the back of restaurants, fighting with other homeless for a piece of a half-eaten bread, or a half-drank cup of cold coffee.

He knew he had to change his way of life, but how? Nobody cared for those who had fallen on skid road, well that wasn’t exactly true, John was familiar with the many places where food and shelter was provided to people like him, the problem was there were to many homeless people and not enough places where to go.

Careful not to destroy the wall of snow built around his shelter, he came out and headed for the place where he knew he could get something to eat, hoping that nobody would find this spot while he was gone. But there was nothing he could do to prevent it, except stay there and guard it, but at the moment, he desperately was in need of a warm meal.

He went straight to St. Mary’s Cathedral where in the back of the building, the kitchen was located. He was early so he secured a place at one of the long tables where people of good heart were serving food to those in need. This was his favorite place, and after so many visits he knew almost every one of the people who took care of the homeless.

Good morning, Mrs. Arnold, God will bless you for your kindness.

Morning, John, how did you survived the cold night? You look rested and in good spirits.

You know me, I am a survivalist, and also a person of faith. God wouldn’t allow me to perish, not in such an unsophisticated way. He knows I’m not ready, I still have things to do in this world.

She placed in front of him a warm cup of coffee.

Black, no sugar, right?

John picked it up and held it close to his face enjoying the rich smell of the freshly brewed infusion, and the warmth of the cup in his hands.

Oh my, what a delicious smelling cup of coffee, I had been dreaming with one like this. You know, Mrs. Arnold, if I were ten years younger and in a better position, I would ask you to marry me. Life would be perfect waking up to find a cup of your delicious coffee.

Well, John, if the coffee makes you want to marry me, I’m not sure what this stack of pancakes will make you do. You’re such a flirt, you old man, I bet you say the same thing to all the women you meet.

No, Mrs. Arnold, not to all of them, just to the ones who serve me such a scrumptious breakfast, thank you again, you know how much I love you.

Mrs. Sandra Arnold, sat on the bench next to the homeless man. She was a woman in her early fifties, happily married with no children, and she had been volunteering at St. Mary’s Church’s kitchen for the past several years, and since the day she met John, she always had the feeling this humble and polite homeless man must’ve been somebody with some type of special education and a better social and economic position, but what was he doing in the streets? What series of catastrophic events had thrown him out on skid row?

She sat down just watching him eat with such good manners and at the same time with a true enjoyment of the meal.

I know what you’re thinking, Mrs. Arnold, and one day I’ll tell you my story, at least from my own perspective. It may not be the real story but it’s the way I perceived it, the way it affected my life.

One day, one day, that’s what you always say…

As she left the table, she patted John on his shoulder.

You’re a good man, John, and inside that homeless facade, I’m sure there is a man of value and of principles. I wish I could do something to help you find your way back to the real John Sanford.

She went back to the kitchen and grabbed another tray of food, people were beginning to stroll in the room looking for a warm breakfast.

Chapter 3

Twenty-four hours of bed rest, a ton of medicines and a strong immune system, all worked together to make her feel much better. On the following morning, Julia’s temperature was almost down to normal, and the body aches were gone. She was still coughing and the side of her chest was hurting the same, but the pain in her throat had diminished. Julia decided she had enough, she was definitely much stronger than any kind of virus. She got up and opened the curtains of her bedroom.

Outside her building, the streets were empty of people and cars, and everywhere she looked, a thick blanket of white snow covered everything, she couldn’t even tell where the streets began or ended. From the third floor where her apartment was located, she could see a few tracks in the snow made by some adventurous people who braving the storm decided they had to take a walk.

Julia went to the kitchen and fix herself a cup of cappuccino, she wasn’t hungry enough to prepare breakfast. Pulling an old lazy-chair in front of the glass-door of her living room she sat down and just enjoyed the winter scene that spread in front of her eyes, something that rarely happened in this city. Watching the snow falling down she went back to sleep, she had almost no energy left and the medicines she had taken were again doing their job.

Back at Saint Mary’s kitchen, John Sanford felt like a million dollars. He was rested after a good night sleep and now his stomach was full and satisfied. He had devoured three large pancakes smothered with maple syrup and on the side, two strips of bacon. That was by any standards, a meal worthy of a king, not to mention two cups of delicious hot coffee.

He went looking for Mrs. Arnold, and by mistake ended inside the kitchen where volunteers were preparing the food. The sight of a homeless startled everyone, most of them had no contact with the people they served, but John immediately took care of the situation. With his deep and resonant voice he addressed those present.

Please forgive my intrusion, it wasn’t my intention to scare you. I was looking for Mrs. Arnold, Mrs. Sandra Arnold. I wanted to thank her for such a wonderful meal and for her kindness, but I feel now that I should thank all of you, and not only her, for giving us, those who by a misfortune in life have fallen out on the streets, a moment of hope and peace, and a delicious meal. May God bless all of you, thank you.

He walked out of the kitchen leaving everybody wondering who was this man. His manners, his words, and the way they were spoken, revealed someone with a higher education, he didn’t fit the character of the typical homeless.

Moments later, Sandra showed up in the kitchen.

Sandra, a man was looking for you, he was one of the vagrants, but he sounded like a well educated man, do you know who I’m talking about?

Yes, Martin, I’m sure he was John Sanford. He has been coming occasionally to this kitchen for the past year, and I always wondered who he really is. There is something about him that intrigues me, something about his past, and the reasons why he is now in the streets.

Have you ever asked him?

"Several times, but he’s always evading the question, all he would say with his deep voice is: one day, Mrs. Arnold I will tell you my story. But you know, he’s too well mannered to be a homeless man, I’m sure he’s hiding from something or somebody in his past. You heard him talk, and all of you had the same reaction I had."

Sandra left the kitchen and went back to serve the tables that by now were completely filled with hungry and cold stricken homeless men and women.

Chapter 4

It snowed off and on for most of Saturday, and by Sunday morning it was over. Only the freezing temperatures and a beautiful white landscape were left as a testimony to what Mother Nature can create in just a couple of days. The sun came out of hiding brilliant as ever, shining in a beautiful and cloudless sky, and for the children, and those with a childish spirit, this much snow and this much sun were more than enough reasons to celebrate. Snow-men of different sizes and shapes pop-up everywhere, snow-fights, and snow-angels could be seen all around, and those who were lucky enough to have any kind of a slope, were sliding on anything that would carry them down a snowy hillside. Laughter and happiness could be heard all over the city.

But the weather in these southern latitudes can also behave in capricious ways. After a glorious day of fun and games and without much of a warning, on Sunday night a high pressure front sneaking from the Gulf of Mexico, brought warm air to the region and the temperatures regain the normal average for the season. By the early hours of Monday morning most of the snow was already melting, converting the beautiful white snow into a dirty and muddy slush, and these murky waters were running everywhere in the city, the fun was over.

Julia woke up that Monday morning feeling well enough to go back to work, and even when she still had a few aches and pains here and there, her position as Branch Manager required her presence there, of that she was well aware. In all the years working at the Bank, only a couple of times she had missed coming to work, and those were not due to an illness so common as the flu.

As she turned the corner around the Bank heading for the parking garage, she noticed two police cars stationed right in front of the building, she also noticed several policemen standing by.

Oh my God! What’s the police doing in the Bank? Has someone robbed us? They should’ve call me at once! I’m still in charge of this Bank.

She left her car parked in a double row in the middle of the street and ran straight where the policemen were.

Officer, what’s going on? What happened …

Before she could finish her sentence, one of the policemen grabbed her by the arm in a forceful way.

Stop right where you are, don’t move! Put your hands up, I say put your hands up!

He was shouting and Julia felt really scared, this was the first time she had been confronted by the police, especially in such an abusive way. At that very moment, Susan, her secretary, walked out of the Bank.

Ms. Chavez, are you OK? Officer, what are you doing? Let her go! She is Ms. Julia Chavez, she is the Manager of this Bank!

She ran to her side at the same time that an embarrassed young policeman tried to say something to apologize for his behavior.

I’m really sorry, Ms. Chavez, I don’t know what to say, forgive me, but when you ran straight toward us, I got a little bit scared, I’m sorry.

Julia freed herself and asked another policeman, who appeared to be in charge.

Officer, please can you tell me what’s the problem? Why all this commotion?

At that very moment, she saw the figure of a frightened homeless man who was being handcuffed using force even when he wasn’t offering any resistance.

Who’s this man, and why are you arresting him?

She came closer and saw his face, a face covered with pain and fear, he looked scared, not defiant.

Officer, I’m asking you again why are you arresting this man? What offense has he committed? Can you please tell me.

Julia tried to move in between the policeman and the homeless.

Miss, please step back, he was trespassing the grounds of the Bank, that’s why we are arresting him.

Julia addressed the homeless man directly.

What were you doing at the Bank?

With a calm and deep voice he responded.

I heard your name, can I call you Ms. Chavez?

Please do, go ahead.

"Ms. Chavez, I can assure you I wasn’t attempting anything illegal against the Bank. As you know during these past couple of days the temperatures dropped down significantly, and I was only trying to find shelter from the cold. I just happened to find the grill where the warm air