Where is DeMario?

Two days ago, on Monday afternoon, Joy and I were just leaving the Wightman house when we saw someone approaching the front door. It was DeMario. He was probably around 17 or 18 years old and was from downtown Chicago. He spoke about how he desired to work towards an education and a betterment of himself. He was wearing black pants, a white shirt, and a tie. He had his speach down, but you could tell he was nervous, and when he messed up once he told us it was his first day on the job. Basically, he was selling magazines door-to-door, and with each subscription sold, he got so many points. I really was somewhat confused with how the whole system worked and all and Joy and I aren't really in the need of any new subscriptions. He would then say something like, "But a simple subscription can help a young man like myself better himself and not return to being a nuisance to society in the city."

Honestly, I loved him. Right from the start. Sure, I don't really know his story, but I still think it would take tremendous courage to leave the inner-city and come out to the suburbs, where people are rich and rude and white, and try to sell magazines door-to-door.

Anyway, we told him we didn't want a subscription and got into the car and drove around the block. Then Joy and I did some talking and I realized that I wanted to do something. I had just read the night before about how faith without works is dead and all of that. So Joy and I went around the block again and found DeMario. I went out to talk to him and told him that although we didn't want any magazies, we'd love to get to know him better and maybe could take him out for dinner or ice cream or something. He seemed eager about it and took my phone number. He said he'd call that night. He still hasn't called. I think Joy and I were both a little disappointed when we didn't hear from DeMario. I am still hoping he calls.

DeMario asked one really amazing question, something I'm not sure I'd thought about before. At one point, he said, "What is it that you have done that have made you two the successful people that you are?" He was asking for pointers from us that might help him as he strives for "success" in a very mid-upper-class-American-way. I kept thinking about that all day. Because really, what had Joy done? What had I done? I was born into a good family who valued education and family and values and all of that. I was read to and played with. I attended schools and found school actually fun. I had family dinners every single night. I was supported as I pursued sports and theatre and music and travel. I was pushed towards academic excellence that helped me get college scholarships and all of that. Basically, I don't feel that I've done very much at all. I do not know much about life in the inner-cities of America. I wish I knew more. Perhaps DeMario will call me and I can learn from him. I realize I have lots of questions.