Alone

Today went from great to bad in a matter of seconds. It was another bad day for me... I came back from walking around and saw a help wanted sign in the window of a law firm. I looked at my clothes and sighed. I bit my lip and went to the door and opened it. I walked in and went to the front desk. The secretary looked at me and scowled. “No you may not use the bathroom. No you may not stay here to get warm. No you may not borrow money. Now leave before I call security.” She stated.

I frowned. “I’m here for the job.”

“You are not what we are looking for. Now get out. This is your last warning.” I frowned getting ready to leave when someone walked over. They looked at me and frowned.

“Janice you will apologize right now. That is no way to treat anyone. You should know better. Especially for someone who works with the public.” I gasped recognizing the voice and looked up at the eyes that stared at me just a little over a month ago. I looked at the facial features then down seeing the cast. “Hello Declan. Shall we go talk?” I nodded unable to say anything. “Come on.” He lead me to his office. He offered me a chair and I sat down. “I’ve been looking for you my friend.”

I looked at him as he went round the desk and sat in his chair. “Piper... Hi....” He smiled at me. “I.. I saw the job sign....”

He nodded. “I need a secretary. A personal secretary. Someone that can get me coffee, take calls, work on files.” He smiled at me. “And I wanted to thank you for helping me that day. I was so in shock I didn’t realize my leg broke when I fell. I was gonna try to actually stand on it. You saved me from a more severe injury.”

I nodded. “It was no problem....” He nodded. “I can do the things you stated but....” I frowned realizing I had no money to get clothes to work. I had no money to even shower or wash my clothes. I frowned.

“What’s wrong?” He asked.

“I’m an idiot for getting my hopes up... Even if you agree to hire me... I’m homeless. I have no money to wash my clothes or eat. How can you hire me if I can’t even afford to eat. If not for the food shelter I’d be starving and most likely would have lost my baby... I just....” I sighed. “I’m sorry for bothering you....” I stood and headed for the door.

“Stop!” He called out as he stood. “Please. Work for me. I’ll do anything. I’ll even give you money now to have you work for me. I’ll buy you clothes and... And help you get an apartment. Please.” He asked.

I sighed. “It’s not just me... There is someone I owe my life to... If not for her I’d have died months ago.” I looked at him. “I promised her I’d get a job and we’d go live together. I can’t have you help me but not Lucy...” I stated. “I’m sorry.”

“She can come to. Please Declan.” I sighed and nodded. “Really?”

“Yes... I’ll get Lucy and come back... We’ll go then.” He nodded with a smile. “And tell the bitch at the counter to kiss my ass.” He smirked and I walked out. I smiled walking for our alley. I have a job. I have a future. I giggled as I got to our alley. I heard a loud bang. I saw Lucy standing at the other end of the alley and called out her name. She fell to the ground. I ran to her worriedly. “LUCY?!” I got to her and saw blood staining the snow around her. “NO!! NO!!” I knelt and put her head on my legs. “Lucy!! NO!!! Not now!! NO! I GOT A JOB!!” I cried holding her and rocking. “I... I got a job... I got us a life... Please.... Please don’t die...”

She looked at me. “You be happy baby. You take good care of this baby.” She lifted a blood hand and put it on my stomach. I cried putting my hand over hers. “You two live in my memory. You two be happy and healthy.” She smiled weakly. “I love you kid. And I’m glad to die in your arms instead of alone.” She patted my stomach again and went limp. I cried listening for her heart after lifting her to put my ear to her chest. I heard nothing. No breathing... No heartbeat. I screamed sadly as I held her to me. My best friend, my mother... Was gone....

After the ambulance came and took Lucy I sadly grabbed the things I shared with her. Our blanket, the sleeping bags, the cooler for our food... And her necklace... I held it in my hands and looked at it sadly. It’s an old gold heart shaped pendant. The front of the pendant has wings on each side all the way to the bottom point. In the middle is fake ruby stone. I put the necklace on and sighed. I held her sleeping bag under my arm. As well as the other things. I walked down the alley a bit to our neighbor. I put everything by their feet. “Use it well.” They nodded and I walked off with my possessions.

I walked right to Pipers office. He was on the phone when I walked in. He looked at me and his eyes bugged out. He ended the call and ran over to me. He sat me in a chair as I cried again.