Rags or Riches

Chapter One : Jessie

"What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes part of us."
- HELEN KELLER

Growing up I always wondered how I'd react to the call that I had lost my parents. I wondered if I'd get it about both of them or if they'd die at different times. I always wondered how different life would be after. Would it be empty? Wouldn't it be the same?
I now know.

When I got the call my heart dropped, I felt like I had been hit by ten cars coming at me from every angle.
I had so much to worry about now. Bills, funeral arrangements, three jobs. It was all too much.

My parents never wanted to be cremated and I never wanted to go against their wishes but at the end of the day I didn't have enough money for a funeral or any of that bullshit that's been pushed on me since their death. It's too much. Way too much. So much I've had zero time to grieve.

It wasn't until this morning that I got home from my second job that I saw the eviction notice on the door. My landlord has never been laid back or accepted late pay even if you had proof of an incoming paycheck that would prove you could pay the rent.

I had been staring down at the eviction notice with absolutely zero idea what I'm gonna do now or even where I'm gonna go.

I heard a knock at the door and quickly hid the eviction notice because I didn't know who it'd be. When I opened the door I was relieved to see my lifelong friend Ethan Jones.

"Hey, how have you been?" I shrugged and we both sat down on the couch.
"I've been better." Ethan nodded his head and looked as if he'd been crying.

"Life feels so hallow without John and Claire. What're you gonna do with their bodies?" I sighed and shook my head at the thought of burning my parents to ash.

"I didn't have enough money to do a funeral or any of that stuff and they didn't have insurance so I'm having them cremated." Ethan looked at me with a mix of shock and he honestly looked kinda upset.

"They wouldn't have wanted that and you know it." I nodded my head before standing up and going over to my coffee machine that barely works anymore.

"I know, they also wouldn't have wanted me to bust my ass to end up in debt just so they can have the burial they wanted. Somewhere deep down I feel they knew they weren't gonna get it." I handed Ethan a cup of coffee and he shook his head whilst looking down at his coffee cup.

"If you would've just came to me I could help. I've always told you if you end up that you can't pay Bills or rent or anything to just call me and I'll be there with the money." I shook my head at him because it wasn't that easy.

"Ethan I don't want it to seem that I'm using you for your money. We've been friends since preschool and I don't feel right coming to you every time I get stuck in a situation." Ethan placed his hand on mine and smiled at me.

"What are friends for if you can't come to them every time you get in a sticky situation.". I shrugged my shoulders and my eyes started to tear up because now that I've been able to sit down and forget about my financial problems I've finally realized that my parents are dead and they're not coming back.
They're gone. Gone forever.

"How's Chelsea?" Ethan shrugged his shoulders and shook his head while looking down at his ring.

"Same as she always has been. I love her with all my heart I really do but she's kind of a gold digger. She's always asking for money and debit cards. She's constantly shopping as if it's more important than me. It's been a while since we've had sex because she's always out shopping." I smiled at him and thought about how depressing it must be for him.

"Ethan I'm surprised she married you and not a Gucci store." He laughed cause he knew it was true.

"Speaking of Chelsea she just texted me so I gotta go. Bye kiddo." Ethan patted me on the back and I shook my head at him.

"Two months older and it all just goes to your head." He laughed at me and put on his coat before leaving my house.

I wanted to sit down and relax but all that was on my mind was that eviction notice and how limited my time is with roof over my head.