Shorties

Runt

A shield of murky grey masked the once-blue sky. The thick clouds, unable to contain their weight, shed their tears and unleashed thunderous cries. Elena stood on the concrete steps leading to her job's entrance as she stared at the sky with tired eyes. The thin awning barely guarded her against the breeze of droplets flying in her direction, wetting her tattered sneakers. Sleep nipped at her bones as pain weighed heavy on her shoulders. Her feet ached against the soles of her shoes. A sigh spilled past her lips.

It was another grueling day at work, another dreadful day in her existence. First, she had to pull another double because two other waitresses called out. Then, a snotty child flung their mashed potatoes at her face when she asked the family if they wanted a refill, and then she was told no one would want her after she uncomfortably declined a pushy customer trying to make a pass at her.

"No one wants you anyway!" The hissed remark hurt Elena a lot more than she wanted to admit. Roughly tugging on the hood of her jacket, she stepped onto the flooded sidewalk. Instantly, she was soaked. The loose strands of her hair clung to her cheeks as her clothes slowly glued to her skin. It was cold, but Elena didn't care. She paid no mind as her body began to shiver, and her lips quivered. Her mind was stuck on that man, or rather what he said.

Before Elena realized it, she stopped in front of a pet shop two blocks from her job. She passed the store every day on her way to work, and every time she crossed the large window, she always stopped to look at the kittens in their cages, waiting for someone to take them home. She remembered that familiar longing: wanting someone to want her.

Elena couldn't remember her parents, only the fact they left her at the young age of two, leaving her to the foster care system. The years of her youth were filled with unsavory memories that left a scar on her heart. Day after day, month after month, she would watch as the kids around her would find permanent homes while she moved from place to place, waiting to find a home.

When she stumbled upon the pet shop, she was drawn to the kittens in front of the main window. There was one particular kitten that caught her eye. Unlike the young cats around it, it was small. The runt of the litter, Elena had deduced instantly. Her heart ached for the small animal, watching as its littermates trampled over it in an attempt to come to the window in her presence. From then on, she made a stop by the store on her trips to work. There was one less cat of the original litter and a new one every visit, but the small kitten remained.

Suddenly, the door opened, and a young woman stuck her head out.

"Ma'am, are you okay?"

She worked as a cashier, Elena noticed immediately.

"Yes," Elena nodded, then pointed to the window, "May I take the small one home, please."