Homeless love

Chapter 3

Tessa

My girl is one heavy sleeper especially when she knows I have to go to work. She doesn't like me leaving and always wants to be with me, but I have to make money so I can provide for her and myself. She's still laying in my bed and her little hands are tucked under her pillow just like the way Josh used to sleep. I gently shake her hoping she'll make it easier for me to go to work and leave her with Ms.Celeste.

She doesn't wake on the first shake but when I tap her again she opens her eyes. the beautiful blue I love to see every morning. She sits up and rubs her eyes slowly blinking then takes in the light from outside.

"Good morning Baby," I say quietly.

"Morning" she says and crawls herself toward me. I brush her hair away from her face and just admire her, I love this little girl with my whole heart.

"Baby Mommy has to go to work today, your gonna stay with Ms.Celeste until I can pick you up," I say.

"Please don't leave mommy, stay home with me," she says her voice cracking a little.

"I would love to baby but don't you want stuff for Christmas this year," I ask.

"Yes," she says.

"Okay, that means mommy has to go to work so you can get all the Santa will bring you this year," I say and kiss her on the forehead.

"Okay"

She hugs herself to me and we just sit in my bed for a couple of minutes before getting up and getting ready for the day.  I pick out my outfit for the day and go to take a shower while Gwen waits for me in my room watching tv. When I get out and get dressed I take her and we go to her room and pick out an outfit for her to wear. the weather in New York has been a mix between warm and cold someday but I checked the weather and it's supposed to be cold out today. We both have on turtle necks and some pants and black boots to give a complete look.

I make us some breakfast and we both eat pretty fast because I have to be at the hospital in an hour and it takes some time to get there because dropping of off Gwen and New York traffic. We finish breakfast and head out to my car on our way to Ms.Celeste. The neighborhood that she lives in is the worst part of New York and around Christmas time it's always the brightest which is why I love this side of town only for the lights. I park the car and grab Gwen out of her car seat being careful because she fell asleep on the way here. I start to walk toward the apartment entrance door but a black tent catches my attention in the back of the bodega. I hope whoever is living there is okay, I want to go say hi. I start to walk towards the tent but Gwen whines in my ear I stop immediately. I was just about to walk behind a bodega to check on a homeless person with my daughter in my hands how crazy can I be?

I walk upstairs we knock on the door. Ms.Celeste opened it and gives us a bright smile.

"Hello my lovelies," she says.

"Hello Ms.Celeste" I smile at her. "Say hi baby" I pat Gwen back in small motions and she waves her up for just a second before dropping it again, and we laugh.

I laid her down on the couch, kiss her forehead and just let her continue her sleep. Ms.Celeste offers me a cup of tea but I decline because of my time crunch. We talk for a minute or two before I'm heading out of the door. I stop just at the entrance.

"Ms.Celeste, I have a question," I say.

"Ask away dear," she says.

"Do you know about the person that lives in the tent behind the bodega, it hurts me to see people in any state like that so I was just Wondering" I say to her.

"I do" she pauses. "His name is Hardin, he's about your age probably older but still around your age. He's been living right there for about a couple of months just living in that small tent all alone" she says and her eyes start to tear A little. "I've invited him up for some time after I get my house together for Christmas but I still feel for him," she says and wipes under her eye.

Poor dude.

"That's so sweet Ms.Celeste. I know we give out meals at the hospital so if you could tell him to stop by one day" I tell her.

"Okay dear, you need to start heading out"

"Your right, bye Ms.Celeste" I wave goodbye as I leave her home. When I reach the outside I look back towards the tent and I see slight movement my feet wants to carry me over there but I know In my right mind I wouldn't for my safety. I hop in my car and drive off toward the hospital.

Coming to the hospital is like a fresh breath of air for me. I love being here and helping people. The only downfall is I'm away from my daughter but other than that it's amazing. My coworkers are some of the nicest people I know and just seeing them and having my time just gives me a boost to do what I need to do. Help people. When I enter the building I can see patients waiting for them to get called into a room, I walk past them but give a smile and walk up to the counter. My favorite person ever is behind the desk.

"Hello, Landon," I say and walk around to hug him and he hugs me back.

"Hello Tessa," he says. "How are you?"

"I'm doing well, yourself?"

"Good, good"

"That's good"

Someone comes up to the front and I tell him I'll talk to home later and walk away. I get myself ready to start my day and my boss comes into the backroom to talk to everyone that's in here, he's a nice person but when it comes to working he doesn't play at all.

"Hello everyone, the holidays are here and that means holidays meals have started. The meals will continue from now until Maybe after new years, will have different food but also the same food and we'll pass them out after 5:00 pm every day.  I have nothing else to say Thanks for listening to this announcement and...go team" he says and everyone laughs.

We all exit the room and we start our day. I didn't get a lot of patients today so my shift was smooth sailing. The hospital does get days like this when we're slow but other days people come in like lighting. I can get home faster today and finally get my baby. The day goes by somewhat quickly and the next thing I know I'm driving back towards Ms. Celeste's home ready to get Gwen and go back home. When I pull up outside of Ms.Celeste her lights shine down in the alleyway and it's a super pretty Color. I look at the tent and it moves someone is definitely inside. I walk towards the tent, my mind already on high alert and ready to dip at any moment. I take a few steps closer but my mind is now flashing to go back now and just leave him or her. I start to walk backward but I step on a stick and it makes a noise. I'm sure the person heard it. The tent moves once again and the zipper slowly opens up, a head full of hair peeks out and the person lifts their head, I'm met with green eyes.

"Who are you"

Oh shit.