My Princess

Chapter 1

I finished the last curl in my straight hair. My long eyelashes in a little bit of mascara. I don't look like a mom except for the little more fat on my body. I still look like a 19 year old. I do not feel like one though.

"Joy!" I called the 2 year old.

She came skipping into the bathroom. I smiled as she came into view. Her light brown hair. laying on her shoulders. She wore her favorite out fit. Dark jeans with slight holes in the knees from wearing them and getting them from a thrift shop, and a pink frilly long sleeve shirt.

"Yes Mum?" She said. She was always so obedient and sweet.

"Want to get groceries with me?" I questioned pulling her on my lap. I tangled my hands in her hair. I pulled it out of her face into a pony tail.

She smiled "Yes! Please!" She really had no choice though. I had to take her no matter what. I slipped on some socks and my coat. I took her yellow rain coat and slipped it on her small arms. She smiled getting excited about the puddles from the rain. She went to get her pink rain boots. They were her favorite. Even though all her things were already worn by another little girl and were a little bit ripped and worn down she loved them. She was thankful for what she had.

I slipped my ugly worn shoes on. I spend the least amount of money on myself so Joy, my Princess, can have nice things.

"Ready Princess?" I asked holding out my hand. Her small hand reached out and wrapped around two of my fingers. She nodded and pulled us out of our apartment.

We walked into the chilly Michigan spring air. We lived in Detroit. It wasn't the most safe place to live but I grew up here and found this cheap apartment walking distance to everything we need. She jumped in the first puddle she saw. Water splashing out on the side walk. She giggled and so did I. She was so carefree. I wish I could be a kid again, I want to be carefree.

I sighed. She looked up at me. I smiled at her beautiful eyes. She reached out her arms and I picked her up and positioned her on my hip. She played with my hair as I carried her across the street and a few blocks later we made it to the store.

It isn't exactly a store though. It's a small warehouse called The Food Pantry. You tell them your living situation and they give you donated food and things. I set Joy down and we walked in. The workers smiled. I came here every week with Joy. They loved her and knew me well. They had me write down what my job is, the pay, and how much I work there. I had to also write down how many people live with me and what apartment I live in.

They smiled and gave us a box full of food. They handed Joy a purple lollipop. She smiled and said Thank You. I told the lady's thank you and we walk out.

Joy's pony tail bounced up and down as she walked. She licked tho lollipop every once in a while and jumped in as many puddles as possible. She giggled quietly with every splash. I smiled at the girl in front of me. I followed her she knew the way home well.

I looked around the settings. I shook my head.

"Joy, you led us the wrong way," I said with a little disappointed tone in my voice.

"Oh... The puddles though!" She said guilty.

"It's ok. But now we have to walk more" I slightly smiled. She nodded.

We changed directions.

"We need to cross the street, Princess" I said. She nodded. I started across.

I turned around to watch her cross. She wasn't half way across the street. She was carelessly jumping in big puddles.

I called her name. I looked both ways. In the distance I see a big van. Obediently Joy crossed unaware of the van coming closer. My breath hitched.

"Wait! Joy! Stop!" I screamed desperately as the car came closer to the 2 year old.

She jumped in a puddle and stood there watching the on coming van. I screamed. Stuck in my spot. In too much shock. Now another person I love is going to be hurt by a car.

The van abruptly swerved around. I let out the breath I was holding. Tears streamed down my face. I dropped the food and ran to my Princess. She was froze in her spot fear evident in her eyes. I picked her up and cradled her in my arms. The van had stopped and turned off as me and Joy still stand in the street. She wrapped her small arms around my neck. I smiled thankful that my child was so lucky. A man came running out of the driver seat of the van. A panicked look was etched his face.