It's been a long time since I wrote this story, but I actually found some information back about those days and what had originally inspired me to write the story.
I figured I'd post it here in a blog, rather than in a preface of the story since it's not really an interlude to story itself.
Anyway, enjoy!
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One day I was walking to the mall, when I had an idea for a short story. Earlier that week, I had run into some trouble at the supermarket with my bank account, when I tried to pay for my groceries. I had forgotten to transfer money to my pay account, and I had to fix that before I could make my payment. It is something that probably happened to everybody, at one time or another, and though it was inconvenient, it was not a big deal. While I walked to the mall, I thought of a welfare mother of three children who I had met years ago. She never had a lot of money to spend, and I could only imagine how she would have reacted to this situation.
That thought turned into an idea for a short story, and, once I started writing, it quickly evolved into a lovely romance. 'A Little Help' was inspired by many events that happened in either my past, or that of people close to me.
When I realized how fortunate I really am to have a good job, a nice house, and basically my biggest worry is what to have for dinner, I also realized that there are many people out there who struggle every day to make ends meet. It's easy to forget about the struggles of others when everything goes well for yourself, but at the same time the signs of poverty are everywhere, even in First World countries. You likely won't have to travel farther than a few kilometers to see so for yourself.
When I wrote this story I thought about what kind of effects a simple action could have on the life of a less fortunate person, and how the choices we make affect the future of ourselves and others. Though 'A Little Help' plays in The Netherlands, the story could have happened everywhere, and likely does in one way or another.
I want to thank Hugh R. Green, R.P.A.M., David Lloyd and 'Little Owl' for helping me with proof reading and editing the story. Your help was invaluable!
I hope you enjoy reading the story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Jasper Storm