Coffee

Everything is closed with bright red CLOSED signs hanging in the windows and doors of every shop. Streetlights are shining a yellow hue down on the roads that hold very few cars paralleled parked by the sidewalks. Some drive on the road stopping at stop signs and red lights. I duck my head low anytime one passes to avoid getting splashed by puddles of water. Hoping my hood pushed up will help block any water that splashes from those who are speeding.

The sidewalks are dark in color after the thunderstorm that stopped roughly an hour ago. Large roots from trees break through the concrete sidewalk nearly making me trip into puddles. They're hard to see with how dark everything is. It's very easy to trip, especially when you're distracted.

I groan in frustration and kick the puddle as if that will do any harm to it. Water soaks my shoe even more, making my socks wet. Fantastic. My fingers run through my hair while pulling out horrendous knots.

It's close to ten now and my feet are beginning to ache. I've been walking since two this afternoon but haven't gotten far. I finally reached a town that didn't seem so abandoned with life. At this point I think I passed three smaller towns. Finally landing in one that's not so lifeless. One that I have never been to before. Keeping a low profile is a goal of mine with this long walk. I don't want to gain attention towards me, I'm not a fan of it.

My body shivers against the cold as wind rushes rapidly between the tall buildings. I never understood how it's always so much more windy between buildings. Even back home in a rustic town about 30 minutes away from my house. If you walk in the shops allyways, it's windy. I don't get it.

My clothes are stuck to my body from being soaking wet. Everything seems heavier on me as I walk trying to find a place to rest. I feel miserable from this bleary weather. I have no one by my side either, making this whole situation worse.

This is terrible.

I wish I was home with my daughter, Mary. The warmth of my bed with her asleep next to me gives me an ache in my chest. My daughter has always been a huge part of my life since she was born. I could be sitting on the couch with hot chocolate warming our hands, watching Tangled. I remember Mary begging me to sing Healing Incantation while I brushed her hair. She obviously didn't know the title but that's okay.

*

"Mommy!" She'd run to me with a huge smile plastered onto her face while holding her bright pink hairbrush. Rapunzel is painted on the back of it with flakes of paint nearly falling of from being so old. "Sing! Sing!" She'd chant and quickly climb onto my lap.

I'd laugh and begin brushing. Singing the words to her favorite song.

I could sing the entire song without missing a word.

Mary curled up next to me softly snoring her way into a deep sleep. My fingers brushing against her long soft hair humming Healing Incantation quietly, so I don't disturb her. I can see her beautiful face vividly in front of me. The small dimples on her cheeks with her long eye lashes and blonde hair that's spread across my lap. Her button nose that she uses to oink her way into stealing bacon during breakfast.

*

My foot stomps to catch myself from falling onto my face which brings me back to reality. Water splashes up on my leg again causing myself to groan in frustration. I really need to find a warm place to at least sit down for an hour. I can't take this rain anymore. It feels like this has been nonstop for so long. Sitting in a soft chair that conforms to your body as it sinks deeply in a marshmallow like cushion. I can't sit on the cold wet pavement again, at least give me a few hours to be comfy.