Beat the Odds

2

"Lucille Marie! You better come here before you fucking regret it!"

"No, please!" I sob, my body trembling in fear.

He grabs a fistful of my hair and yanks me towards him, his filthy hands on my skin.

His hand wraps around my throat and I cry out for my mother. I cry and sob and wait for her to come save me, but she doesn't come. Mom?

"Mommy can't help you anymore Lucille. I take care of you now. Now shut the fuck up, or this will be worse for you"

I wake up to the sound of my own scream and I sit up, covered in sweat. Tears run down my cheeks. I shake my head abrubtly and stand up to get in the shower. I need to calm the fuck down.

First, I undress. Then I look my puffy-eyed self in the mirror. I narrow my eyes at the woman staring back at me and scoff.

The shower was nice, refreshing. For clothes today I decided on jeans and a long sleeve top. I slip into a black coat and put my shoes on, then I head outside. There's a little courtyard in the front of the complex, with a picnic table so I take a seat and pull a joint from my coat pocket. I don't know about you guys, but lighting up always calms me down. I think being high is just what I need right now.

I hold the joint between my lips and hold the flame to the end of it. Once it's lit, I lean back slightly and take a drag. Ugh. Just perfect. It's beautiful outside. There's a thin layer of snow and the sky is gray. Perfect weather for a wake and bake, you know?

Once I'm done I put it out on the cement, put it back into its Zip-Loc bag and stand up. I stuff my hands into my pockets and decided to walk around town and explore a little. I stroll down the sidewalk and find a McDonald's. It's 9 a.m., so breakfast is still on the menu.

I pull open the door to the restaurant and look over the menu. A caramel frappe and a sausage egg McMuffin sound phenomenal right now. Once my order is placed, I sit at a table and unlock my cell. Ooo! A new email from Starbucks.

I open the email and to my surprise, I was granted the job. I smile to myself and exit the app. Thank goodness I got that job as quick as I did. The email said I can start tomorrow, no interview needed since they are short staffed and in need of workers.

My order number is called shortly after and I grab my food and drink. I don't really want to eat in here. It's stuffy and loud, despite what time it is.

I walk outside and take a huge drink of my frappe. Yum.

I scope out my surroundings and breathe it in. I look at the people walking and observe them. Sometimes I look at people and wonder what they have gone through. Are the rich? Poor? Happy? Sad?

Like now, I see a woman who seems to be about the age of 40. She's wearing a thin jacket and a hat with a puffball at the top. Her hat matches her daughters, who's next to her holding her hand. I wonder if that woman wanted children. Was she born in the state or did she move? I'll never know the answers but its fun to wonder. To think.

I head to the crosswalk and push the little button that tells me when its safe for me to cross. It tells me to wait. What if I didn't wait? Nothing is stopping me from walking in front of moving traffic. Jesus, Lucille. Cool it.

The little person pops up on the screen and I cross, heading back towards my apartment. Hopefully my McMuffin is still warm. Once I make it to this place I now call home, I unlock my door and walk inside.

Phew. McMuffin is still warm, drink is still cold, and I am still fried.

I open my laptop and pull up Netflix before I eat. I decide to continue my show 'You' to watch while I eat my breakfast.