The Uprising Star

The Life Of Mine

I remember one time when I was young, 7 or so, mama used to make the most beautiful marshmallow chocolate chip cookies. Every time she set them out to cool to just the right temperature I'd sneak by and take one. I always burnt the tip of my tongue and say to myself, "I should have listened to mama." Yet I still never learned. I never stopped because, in the end, I believed it was worth it. The first bite was never so great but I was always left satisfied in the end.
My decisions aren't so innocent anymore. These wrongdoings are nothing like the cookies. My latest decision left me homeless and out to fend for my own. I still haven't found my satisfaction. I could have gone to live with open-armed family members but I only have my mother and father here in the United States. We moved here from Italy when I was just three years old. I can still hear my parents swooning about the American dream. And I can still see the abandoned-looking house we were stuck with. I remember not understanding why they were so happy, even after they saw the creepy house. But I know now that it was only the first step. The house is beautiful now.
I guess me sleeping on a public bench at the play park is my first step. I used to share it with this older lady. Her name was Angelina. She lost her home to a hurricane back in Florida and hasn't had the money to step back onto her feet. One time she asked me why I was homeless and I instantly became embarrassed. Angelina lost her home to a hurricane, I lost my home because I didn't want to go to a college that I didn't even have to pay for.
I never told her. I'm sure she assumed that it was just that bad.
She isn't around anymore. I'm not sure where she'd gone but she left all she had,  everything, behind. Every day when I revisit the bench I notice something she left goes missing. At first, I thought it was her returning and taking things but I soon found out it was all just being stolen.
The day that every single thing was gone was the day I knew she was never coming back and all I have now is myself. Angelina wasn't an only good company but she kept me fed, warm, and safe.
Soon after Angelina went missing I met Anthony Dullagart. He's always said his last name loud and proud. He is so happy and full of joy, it's remarkable. He has to at least be in his mid-30s and he never told me why he was wandering the streets. I met him while I was food hunting one night, not having any luck. At the time I haven't eaten in days and was desperate. Anthony led me behind a dunk n' donuts there they threw out leftovers and we had a feast. "Slow down, girl! The more you eat the older the food gets." He said laughing through his words.
After we ate I told him about Angelina and he convinced me that we should file a missing person report.
And that's exactly what we did the next morning.
The police were no help. "Homeless people always get up and move." They said.
All they did was continue to shrug it off like it was nothing despite all the reasons I gave that verified it all just made no sense. I ended up just walking out in absolute anger. Anthony joined me about 30 minutes later and said was able officially to report her missing.

It's been 3 months since then, and we both know that they never went to look for Angelina. Other than that things have been great honestly. Anthony got us each a tent so we didn't have to sleep in a shelter. I like to have a little bit of my independence and he knows that. When the dumpster food isn't good enough to eat we do end up going for a fresh plate but that's about it.
Anthony even started job hunting and I noticed that it wasn't for himself. He wanted to keep me in clean clothes, knowing we can't shower ever so often. I always ask him why he isn't doing anything for himself, but he never responds.
Every time he comes back with something he's tired and hurt. I'm aware that these aren't ordinary jobs. I decided that Id go out and find a job for myself. I know Anthony will go against it so I'm leaving after he's already gone.
Fast food places, cleaning businesses, smoke shops. I've looked through all and no response.