The Hopeful Journey

The Journey Begins (Please comment and tell me what you think!)

I wake up on a cold park bench in the middle of Times Square. How is it that only 1 week ago everything was perfect then all of the sudden everything changes? My mother has always been there then I wake up one day and she's gone. She was the only person that I had other than my best friend Tommy. Just as I was beginning to stand I hear a familiar voice calling my name. "Julie!" Tommy comes running toward me."I've been looking everywhere for you. I haven't seen you in days! Where have you been?" I look down as tears start streaming down my face. "Moms gone."

When I was six years old my father passed away. Every since we left Georgia and moved to New York with my aunt. Shortly after my mother turned to alcohol for comfort. I stayed with my aunt Maggie most of the time but when I was 16 she was diagnosed with cancer. she passed away a year later. I took care of her the whole time while my mother Cora was out drinking.

I bury my face in his chest. "It'll be ok Julie you can stay at my place until you get on your feet." I sniffle and pull away. "Thank you Tommy I don't know what I would do without you." "Lucky you won't have to find out." He says and pulls me to his side as we walk back to his apartment.

Finally after 7 days on the street I get a proper shower and something to eat. " I got to go to work be ready by the time I get back tonight because we are going out for your birthday." Tommy says before running out the door. I forgot about my 21st birthday coming up in two days. Every year I regret this day because it marked the day my father was taken from this world and everyone thought it was my fault.

I stare at myself in the mirror trying to make myself look decent for the night that was to come. We arrive at the bar down the street called Mi Amigos. As I walk through the door I trip and fall right into a muscular mans arms. I look up and see the most gorgeous blue eyes look down at me. He stands me up and pushes me out-of-the-way. "Next time watch were you are going." He says as he storms out the door with a short man following him. "Sorry, he's just upset over a business deal." I stand there stunned and then turn to meet his gaze. "He didn't have to be so rude about it. I'm Julie by the way." I say as I put my hand out for him to shake. "Amigo, the owner of the fine establishment." "Julie!" I hear Tommy calling my name. "Sorry Amigo I better go. Nice to meet you though." I turn around and take a seat at our table.

"What were you doing with Chad Warren?" Tommy says as I order our first round of drinks." So, that's his name. How do you know him?" I say as I take a sip of my drink. "You're seriously telling me you don't know him. He's the richest man in New York!" He says rolling his eyes at me. "He's also the biggest jerk. So, can we quit talking about him and have some fun?" I say and as I stand grab Tommy's hand and lead into the dance floor.

I start to drink more and more trying to erase all the drama from the last couple of days. The next thing I know I'm waking up the next morning. As I roll out of bed feel the roll of my stomach and sprint to the bathroom. After a refreshing shower I look in the mirror at my face and see a huge bruise on the side of my cheek. I turn to go towards the living room and in search of Tommy to find out what happened last night.

"Tommy!" I yell walking through the apartment. "Will you quit yelling I'm right here." He says and takes a seat on the couch. "What happened last night? Look at this huge bruise on my face!" I say pointing to my cheek. "Calm down it was nothing you just got into a fight with some girl. Before you could hit her back I threw you over my shoulder and you passed out." He says as he stands to make some coffee. "I have to go look for a job on Monday I can't go looking like this!" I say exasperated. I look like a mess why would someone hire me looking like this? "It will fade a little before tomorrow then just cover it up. Now I have to go I'll see you tonight." He says as he walks out the door.

The rest of the day I spend my time looking for jobs online when I come across a pretty good paying job at Warren Publishing Co. All I would be doing is sitting at the front desk answering phones but it was better pay than anything I had saw all day. When Tommy got home I told him about the potential job interview tomorrow and decided to turn in early so I could get an early start the next morning.