6 months to live

Finding hope

Bianca and I had to play rock, paper, scissors for who would be the person approaching the door.

"Fine!" I hunched my back as I made my way to the door. Bianca looked like she was about to start fleeing the moment my knuckles touched the door.

We both didn't know what we were expecting when we heard footsteps getting closer from inside. The both of us prayed that it would be a friend face.

"Hello," a kind looking lady smiled at us. A dog came to her barking like a lunatic. "What are you young ladies doing outside at this hour?"

I felt relieved to a point where I wanted to cry a river. "Please help us!" I implored her. "We have no idea where we are. We're lost, hungry, and we don't have phones." Well the phone thing was partially my fault.

Her face went concerned. "Oh dear! My niece was in a similar situation. I'm more than happy to let you guys stay here. I'm afraid that the reception isn't that good...and it's quite limited. My car right now is broken down, but I can call a trusted friend of mine to come get you guys."

Bianca started to snivel, "God bless your soul," she would say it, wait awhile, and then repeat it. "Thank you so much."

The lady welcomed us into her home. The furniture although not as old as Santiago's, they were getting there. The place smelled of cigarettes and dog. Who was I to care though? I would take anything over wandering the streets in fear that the man we were running away from would end up finding us.

The lady must have noticed how uncomfortable I was because she tried to mask the odor with perfume and Febreeze.

"I'm so sorry," her face looked really shy. "I've been smoking for seventeen years. I've tried so many times to quit, but I really can't do it."

Bianca shook her hands side to side. "No, no, it's fine."

The woman set the bottle of Febreeze down on the table. "I have supper on the stove for when you ladies are done showering. My sister's daughter who is around your guys' age, I'm sure her clothes can fit you."

Bianca looked at me. "I'm showering first!"

"The bathroom is upstairs to your left. My daughter's room is right across."

Great! My stomach felt tight without Bianca's presence. It was dreadful to have to be in the living room with a total stranger. It was mostly awkward because of the silence and the little conversations which made it even more awkward.

~~~~~~~

When Bianca and I were done showering, we were presented with a full table of food.

It was like paradise......no...heaven!

"I told a good friend of mine about your guys' situation and he's just...he's appalled by the situation you guys are in. Eat up well ladies," she got up. "Meet me in the living room when you're done."

~~~~~~~~~

The door opened to reveal a tall man. He wore a suit and tie.

Very professional.

"Are these the girls?" His voice was higher pitched. He wore sorrow in his eyes. "Quite remarkable, you two."

We confided...well Bianca confided in them and told them about everything that she went through.

"The man was very respectful to me. Normally people only saw me for one reason but he treated me as if he knew me. He was very kind and he respected my boundaries. My friend who had been with me at the time kind of took advantage him and asked him for more money than she normally asked for." Bianca looked crestfallen. "All of a sudden it was like as if he was another person. He snapped at us! He pulled out a gun and threatened to shoot up if we didn't follow his commands."

The man handed Bianca a box of tissues. "I'm so sorry for what you guys had to go through."

"Where are you guys from?" The woman spoke up.

"I live north of Sterling, New Jersey," I wiped my eye.

"No wonder you seem so familiar!" The man snapped his finger loudly. "I've seen you in a lot of newspapers while shopping."

I blushed.

"Let's get these ladies home, Austin."

Bianca and I headed outside to the man's car. The lady took the passenger's seat so Bianca and I had to ride in the back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The last chapter is up next.