Runaway

Fending For Herself

The diner's coffee had provided a temporary jolt, but Jess could feel exhaustion weighing on her again by mid-morning. She had wandered the city streets aimlessly for a few hours after leaving the 24-hour restaurant.

Harsh sunlight now bathed the sidewalks, bringing with it a humid haze and the smells of exhaust and rotting garbage. Jess pulled her hair back into a ponytail, already regretting her impulsive decision to run away. Where was she going to go? What was the plan here?

She found herself in a crowded plaza with a dry fountain in the middle. Pigeons cooed and strutted around, looking for crumbs. Ragged homeless people slumped on the benches, keeping to themselves. The din of traffic, angry honking, and occasional sirens provided the soundtrack.

Jess sank down onto the hot concrete rim of the fountain, the straps of her heavy backpack cutting into her shoulders. She was already drenched in sweat, regretting her long sleeves and jeans. Her mouth felt pasty and dry.

As she gulpeddown some warm water from her bottle, she realized with a pang that this meager supply wouldn't last long. She'd need to find more eventually, along with food, somewhere to use a bathroom, maybe a place to sleep for the night. The daunting realities of life on the streets weighed on her.

For a naive moment back at home, running away had seemed like such a simple solution, a way to escape her parents' turmoil. But now, in the unforgiving wake of her decision, Jess felt very small and alone.

Her gaze landed on a young woman, likely in her twenties, sitting cross-legged near the fountain's edge. The woman held a cardboard sign, soliciting for spare change, food, anything to get by. Her stringy hair hung in greasy clumps over a gaunt, prematurely-aged face. This, perhaps, was a glimpse of Jess's own future.

The girl's chest tightened as panic started creeping in. What was she going to do? Where could she even begin to -

"Hey, you okay, honey?"

Jess startled at the gravelly voice. She looked up to see a squat, heavyset woman in her 50s regarding her with a look of concern. The woman wore too much eye makeup and clutched a huge slouchy purse to her chest protectively.

"You, uh, you need some help there?" The woman's voice was a blend of city grit and an almost maternal worry.

Jess felt her throat tighten as tears threatened. She was so scared and utterly unprepared for this reality.

The woman seemed to read this and sat down on the ledge next to her, the concrete creaking under her weight. Up close, her heavy perfume was slightly overpowering.

"Aw, c'mere, kid," she sighed, putting an arm around Jess. "Let me buy you a slice and we'll figure some things out, all right?"

Too overwhelmed to protest the advance from a stranger, Jess simply nodded jerkily and wiped at her eyes.

She had no idea what twisted path awaited, but for now she desperately clung to this potential lifeline, however tenuous. Surviving on her own already seemed like an impossible feat.

The heavyset woman led Jess out of the plaza and down a few dingy side streets. Jess clutched the straps of her backpack tightly, trying to keep her wits despite her anxiety.

"Name's Rhonda, by the way," the woman said over her shoulder as they walked. She had a mouthful of gum snapping loudly. "Don't worry, kid, I'm gonna help you out."

Jess couldn't decide if she trusted this strange woman, but she had no other options at the moment. Her feet throbbed in her sneakers from all the walking.

They stopped outside a run-down pizza joint called Nico's, faded words nearly peeling off the grimy windows.

"Best pies in the area," Rhonda said with a wink, holding open the door for Jess.