Page 2 of Old-Fashioned

I stayed there until the rain had stopped, and then on our front porch the next morning, I walked out the door to head to school, and right there, was a brand-new black backpack with a note.

I see it in your eyes. You don’t want my help, but just know, I am here if you need it. – Miss Maggie.

I thanked her by picking a bunch of wildflowers the next day and dropping them off for her.

Twice a week for three months, I would go over to her house, it all started when she knocked on our door one night because she hadn’t seen my mom’s car in our driveway for three days. And was worried about me.

I was glad she had, because every night, strange-looking men would knock on our door, I had been scared.

But thankfully, having Miss Maggie there for me, made me not so scared.

I also found out that she created a bedroom for me in her house. One that was all mine.

One week, when we had a big snowstorm, school was closed, and we had no heat, I got to stay at her house, in that room, and not once, did I wake up cold.

I got my princess stories from her the week I stayed there.

But the stories weren’t about prince’s saving them. No, they were all about the princess saving herself.

I also got to eat whatever my little heart desired.

And when I went back home once school was opening back up, my very own mother hadn’t even realized I wasn’t there.

Over the next couple of years, I would spend a few times a week at her house, helping her out. When she tried to give me money for it, all I asked was that she fed me.

I closed my eyes as all those memories washed through me, used the breathing technique my neighbor taught me, and then let out one last breath, nodded my head, and told myself, I had this.

The night only lasts so long. It can only get better.

Getting out of bed, I walked to my bathroom, took a shower, and then got dressed in jeans, a long-sleeve shirt, a hoodie, and sneakers. I learned to always wear sneakers when you are alone.

Because trying to run in anything else hindered your escape.

After grabbing my bag, I headed to the door of my small studio apartment that was barely big enough for my mattress that sat on the floor, the small stool I got for free, and the small galley kitchen that had a stove top and a mini fridge.

Don’t even get me started on the bathroom. Thankfully, I’m small so I’m able to move around okay. But if I was a few pounds heavier, I’d have to walk side to side in there.

Placing a penny just so at the bottom of my door, my keys clutched tightly in my hands, I walked down the stairs.

Miss Maggie hated where I lived. She told me so multiple times, but it was what I could afford and still be able to eat.

And I lost count of the times she begged me to come live with her.

Sometimes, I wanted to take that pride I refused to let go of, give in, and take her offer.

But I wouldn’t do that to her. Her entire family used and abused her.

Hitting the street in the seedy part of the outskirts of Blossom, Colorado, I kept my eyes scanning, never settling on one thing.

I let out a sigh as I walked through the library doors.

Then I headed straight for the row of computers, sat down, and logged into my email.

Over the past week, I had been applying to anything and everything so I could make my life better.

I didn’t know why I even tried, but I knew there was more out there for me.

Miss Maggie had drilled that into my head over the years, and I wanted to agree with her.