This story is about a guy, and a chance.

In the vibrant, hustling, and bustling city of New York, there lived a man named Bruno. Now Bruno was no ordinary city-goer, for he was truly unique, a needle in a haystack. Was it because one of his eyes was a purplish shade, while the other was a marble white? Or that his forehead had pale lightning shaped scar, similar to Harry Potter? No, you see Mr. Christofi had an attitude. He was the most arrogant, and pompous man NYC had ever gotten the chance to see. He carried around this air of snobby, self-pride, that he developed slowly over time, being born into the family of an oil tycoon, and always having more wealth, and status than others. Or him going to Harvard ( because of his ivy league qualities of course), or as he pronounces it; “Hahvahd”. And because of all of his serious issues everyone hated him. That was until, he met that “guy”.

Jim O’Phelan was a discharged, high-spirited, but homeless army veteran. He had maintained the somewhat prestigious rank of 2nd Lieutenant, but was involved in a multi-country arms scandal which drew federal attention, and got him dishonorably discharged. Now, he lived on the streets of Brooklyn, looking for a job, or just getting high whenever he could to suppress his feelings of sadness, and dishonor. One night, as he was limping around the bright lights of the vibrant city drunk, he stumbled over a step and went face first into a bush. He fell asleep there for the hell of it.

Bruno Christofi was making an eggs benedict, a prestigious skill taught to him by his father Bobby Flay, a Five Star celebrity chef, and oil tycoon, when he saw the strange bum on his azaleas. He was in plain awe, as he had imported those flowers from South Korea two weeks ago, and they had costed him quite the fortune. He decided to go see what he could do, but midway changed his mind, and decided to solve this issue in the most volatile way possible to mankind, because he was chill like that.

Jimmy was abruptly woken up at around seven-thirty, to the majestic sound of birds, typical NYC chatter, and the loud and almost demonic blubbering coming from behind him. Jimmy hopped to his feet, and turned around only to see a fist speeding directly between his eyes.

When Bruno assessed the damage done to Lt. Jim, he realized that he had flatly knocked him out cold, so he was quite proud. At that point he was debating whether to bring the homeless drunk who wrecked his azaleas into his house, or leave him to bleed outside. He tromped back in and closed the door, with his cold heartless hands. However… something sparked in him. Maybe, just maybe Mr. Bruno; the cold heartless rascal was growing a spark of compassion inside of him. Bruno hoped not, he enjoyed his solemn atmosphere, and wished to never change because he was just that… He was just that much of a bad word(s), because his actions fit the description of just that many hurtful pieces of language. But maybe a part of him despised this behavior he had produced. Maybe, just maybe he wanted people to look at him, and not just think of him as an angry, violent, and erratic rich scumbag. No, he wanted to be remembered by people, and himself as someone who could change, Bruno knew he could be nice so he went out for his first good deed with a large, and somewhat creepy smile on his face.

Jimmy clumsily woke up, stood up and almost automatically felt a sharp jolt of pain to his temple. “Woah there”, Bruno said as he let out a chuckle.
“Why don’t you get some more rest ok?”, he said reassuringly as Jimmy came to his senses.
“Where am I?” he said, as he got up once again, but managed to hold his ground.
“Well, haha. Welcome to my humble abode. My name is Bruno Christophi Jr., and you are?”
“2nd Lieutenant Jimmy O’Phelan, wait I mean Jim; Jim O’Phelan.” Jimmy said as he soon came to realize he was still no longer in the military, and it took him some time to comprehend that as the punch to the temple may have knocked out some brain cells.
“At ease soldier” Bruno let out with a cheesy chuckle. However no one laughed, and his joke was utter trash.

What followed, was a time of utter awkwardness where Bruno would repeatedly apologize, and Jimmy would go on for hours about his “exciting” war stories in the middle east, which turned out to be justed patrol missions, and more patrol missions, and bad stomach aches. Then the conversation took an exciting turn for the best, when Bruno asked Jimmy about his current housing situation. Jimmy was skeptic, and Bruno knew something was off. So Bruno asked again, and Jimmy spilled the beans all over the place. He told him how he was homeless after being discharged. He told him how he couldn’t get a job, because he didn’t go to a college, because well serving overseas was his dream. He said how he had to rely on drugs to suppress his hurt feelings of dishonor, and sadness. He told him how he had lost his family, because they didn’t want to associate with him. Bruno, he was truly moved. This spark Bruno had inside of him, had just had 40 pounds of gasoline graciously dumped upon it. The flames were lit. Bruno was a changed man, and all he needed to capture that spark was Jimmy’s drunk thinking. Bruno then promptly offered his house, and amenities to him, and Jimmy happily accepted.

Over time, the bonds between Bruno and Jimmy grew, and they were like brothers. One day, when they were out for a hike, Bruno proposed that they started an initiative to help homeless veterans, or just veterans in general. By now, Jimmy had just finished med school, and was the head nurse at a VA hospital, because of his great desire people like himself find their path, and get through their difficulties. And together, they became the bestest buddies, just because Bruno gave Jimmy a second chance. Give people time, and they can change.

Or not.

THE END