We Are Not Forgotten

chapter twenty two.

Waking up on the bench was a frightening experience. I didn’t know who would be there when I pulled the blanket from off my face and opened my eyes. What if people were crowded around me making snide remarks and sniggering? I knew this was very unlikely though simply because people didn’t really care. People were blissfully ignorant and even if they did see me, I doubt they would do anything.

So when I finally peeled my eyes open I wasn’t surprised to see absolutely no one about. The park was deathly quiet as usual and the soft morning sun hit my skin. Granted, the harsh cold wind wasn’t allowing me to get any benefit from this warmth, but it didn’t matter.

  

I sat up and the first thing I noticed was that I had a horrible ache in my back. The bench had not been the most comfortable night sleep I’d ever had. But I had survived. One night of sleeping on the streets and I definitely had had enough. There was no way I was allowing that to happen again. So, with determination in my heart, I packed all of my blankets away in my suitcase and slowly lifted myself up. It was daunting to be sleeping outside but oddly I hadn’t minded it too much.

  

Despite this, I felt that it was absolutely necessary to try and find a homeless shelter. There had to be one within this town, even if I had never seen or heard about it. I guess I just used to be one of those blissfully ignorant people though. If I ever saw a homeless person on the street I wouldn’t stop and help, I would merely carry on walking. It was a brutal reality, but one I would think twice about now that I had been in their shoes.

I began walking with purpose down the street. I was aware I probably looked like a scarecrow dragged through a bush backwards but who really cares? Appearance seriously wasn’t an issue at a time like this.

  

As I paced along the pavement, my mind began to wander and strangely it was Oliver that entered my mind. I wondered what he was doing and whether he was having fun in his new job. I missed him terribly. In spite of him leaving unexpectedly, I wanted him back more than anything. I just wanted to hear his voice again. It would make all the difference right now.

  

An idea then sprung to mind when I saw several phone boxes dotted on the streets as I walked and without really thinking I stepped inside of one of them. It was grubby and strongly smelt like pee, causing me to turn my nose up and almost gag.

  

Was I really about to call Oliver? What would I say? I couldn’t exactly spring all of my problems on him. Although if he knew that I was homeless, surely he would want to help me. I punched in his number quickly; I knew it off by heart. However disappointment struck me when I realised I didn’t have any money, so it wouldn’t work.

  

This meant I was beyond surprised when the phone actually began ringing. I had heard of free phone boxes before. I think they were only meant for absolute emergencies, but technically this was one. Nevertheless I was still shocked that it had worked for me.

  

I held the dialler a few inches from my face. I dared to think what kind of substances could be on it. The ringing ended and my heart sunk when I heard Oliver’s voicemail service speak. But I couldn’t hang up. I had to go for it, this was my only chance.

‘Hello this is Oliver, sorry I can’t answer right now but please leave a message and I’ll get back to you’