The Jagged Edge of Sanity

Cam the Crimewave

At thirteen he was arrested for criminal damage, at fourteen he’d taken up shoplifting and at seventeen he was dealing cannabis. His father tried his best to guide him but with a full-time job and Lily to look after, his time and effort were not awarded with a perfect adolescent. They had to move a few times due to the problems Cam was making with the locals and also to find cheaper rent.

Cam had a mother, Poppy, but she had her own issues. She used to be a nurse, until she was laid off when medication in her ward disappeared. She became addicted to painkillers after a difficult upbringing herself. Cam didn’t know where she was, he hadn’t seen her since he was eight and he’d forgotten what she looked like.

The shoplifting began with the usual, sweets, chocolate and drinks. This moved up to clothing and trainers. One day he was stopped by security and the police attended and arrested him and Cam received a Final Warning. He was told that anymore nonsense and he would be going to court. 

His father, Ren, didn’t know what to do. He was embarrassed and had given up on Cam. Lily was the perfect daughter, she danced, she swam, and she sang in various after school clubs and she was going to be a star, or at least they’d hoped. 

Unfortunately for Cam, at seventeen he was eventually arrested for dealing Class B, but was convicted of the lesser crime, possession of Class B. The court imposed a Youth Rehabilitation Order on him for twelve months, he also had an officer from the Youth Offending Team to monitor and guide him, but they didn’t get on.

Cam hated being monitored and was ordered to do unpaid work at a Care Home for the elderly. He had to clean, make tea and play board games with the residents. They all had their own living spaces, but most would meet up in the communal day room where they would watch TV, read and converse. 

Cam hated going and would often fail to attend his appointments, he complained about the smell, and he only started to attend when he was threatened with going back to court. There were all sorts of elderly people at the home. Some wouldn’t talk and others wouldn’t shut up, but Cam knew that it was because they were lonely. He began experiencing empathy for the first time, he even began liking some of them.

There was one woman Cam really connected with, she was called Jenny. She was funny and witty; she had a friendly personality and had a zillion stories. Jenny taught Cam how to play chess, and they would talk for hours whilst playing. Years ago Jenny was in the Ambulance Service and then she volunteered in a drop-in centre for the homeless. She would always say,

“Treat everyone like you would treat your grandparents, and you won’t go wrong.”

Jenny would stay in her room if she didn’t feel up to joining the other residents in the day room. Cam would take her a cup of tea and she always insisted it came on a cup and saucer. Jenny was set in her ways and would tell Cam,

“Trust me young Cam, it always tastes better in a cup and saucer.”

On Christmas Day, Cam woke up and went downstairs to see if anyone was home, Lily and his father had gone out. Cam was all alone on Christmas Day. He felt depressed and lonely. He looked in the mirror and a tear rolled down his cheek. At that point he felt he had nothing, absolutely nothing. He went for a walk with no real route and ended up outside the care home. Cam just stared into the windows, he could see a Christmas tree, coloured lights and people moving around. He watched for ten minutes and then turned to leave, he didn’t want to disturb anyone and wasn’t due back until the following Tuesday. 

He took a few steps back down the path and three women were walking towards the care home. They had presents and were wearing silly Christmas jumpers. One of the ladies said, 

“Merry Christmas, have you just seen your grandma?”

Cam replied, “No, I help out here, but I changed my mind about going in.”

“Don’t be silly, help us with the presents. Come on.” Said the lady. Before he knew it, Cam had an armful of beautifully wrapped gifts and was being shepherded into the warmth of the care home. 

They all walked into the day room which looked amazing, the residents were all sat down and looked over as they walked to the tree to put the presents down. Jenny was smiling at Cam, and he went over to wish her a Merry Christmas. As he was talking to her one of the ladies came over and hugged Jenny. She told Jenny that she had got her something special and had never forgotten how she had helped her turn her life around whilst at the homeless centre.

After they finished, the lady told Jenny she was going to get her a nice hot cup of tea in her favourite cup and saucer. Jenny smiled at Cam and said,

“That lady was in such a terrible state when she got to us a number of years ago. It took us forever to help her get off the drugs and find a place to live. You wouldn’t know it now, she looks amazing.”

Cam replied, “Wow, she was an addict? You wouldn’t know. She looked so happy to see you.”

“Yes, she did. I love seeing her, she manages the homeless centre now and puts everything into helping others. She used to be a nurse. There’s only one thing she struggles with now.” Said Jenny.

“Oh, what’s that then?”

Jenny answered, “Well, when she was at her lowest, she lost all contact with her children. Apparently, she has a boy and a girl. She wants to find them, but she’s so scared they will reject her.”

Cam went white. He stared at Jenny and his mouth dried up. He looked over at the women making the tea, and said,

“Jenny, what’s her name?”

“It’s Poppy. Why?”

The End.