Sifting Through the Ashes

Part II: Chapter 1

          Days past in a blur for Diana. Days turned to weeks and weeks to month. By April of the following year, Diana had completely lost hop in herself and her life. The house was always a mess and Diana rarely bothered to eat. She only started to face reality when a home repossession officer showed up, informing her that none of the bills on the house had been payed since December. Now she had lost her home and was stranded on her own, with no money and no hope.It wasn't until March that Diana finally found somewhere to call home, but the struggles came first. Diana had always had enough to eat and a roof over her head, so this new reality was impossible for her.
 
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          Diana ducked around in the alley, hoping to spot a food trolley she could steal from. Even in the downtown are food trolleys were rare. Consequently, it was rare that Diana had food to eat. She had been on the streets for almost a month, and she could feel herself slipping away. Her insides were fighting with themselves for the last bits of nutrition, and the lack of water rendered her completely useless. She smelled like the garbage cans she slept next to, and sometimes inside of, if it was cold or the police were on duty. Looking at her it was hard to tell that just months ago she had been an A honor role college student. That she had a family.
          With everything going on now, it was hard for her to believe that she had been depressed before. Over a boy, of all things. Now here she was, starving, dehydrated, and sick. Now she had a reason to be depressed, and she felt bad for being depressed before. She often found herself wishing that she had never been so upset over Jake. She had plenty of time to dwell, of course. She spent most of her time just sitting, smiling gently at passerby's, who pulled in their children and quickened their pace. Every now and then someone would toss her a sandwich. Only one time did she get a full meal.

          That was something she would never forget. A woman and a little boy had passed by Diana. The little boy wore a mask and just stared at her as he passed. He then tapped his mother's shoulder and pointed at Diana. The woman smiled at her and continued walking. A little while later, The little boy came running up to Diana, holding a salad and a case of water. Diana took everything with tears in her eyes. The boy threw his arms around her and stared there until his mother called him over.            

     "Thank you so much." Diana said to the woman, who now had tears in her eyes. The woman nodded.

     "You are in my prayers, dear. May God help you through this time of pain and struggle." She took her little boy by the hand and left. That had been the best thing that had happened to her since before her mom died. That day she had food, and that week she had water. But it wasn't enough to keep her alive forever, of this she was constantly reminded by spasms of hunger and thirst.