A Place To Call Home

Prologue

The sun beat down on Nikki's head. She felt hot and sweaty in the August heat. Every crack and bump on the sidewalk made her suitcase make a sound loud sound. Kathoom. Kathoom.

No one noticed her - a 13 yr old girl walking the streets alone. Of course,  she wasn't the only homeless walking around.  Her dirty, disheveled appearance was common around here in Clinton.  To the people driving by, she just looked like another homeless person. That was ok with her though. She didn't want to be noticed. 

Nikki began to walk by the third fast food place today - a McDonalds. The salty fry smell wafted up to her nose. Tears sprang up in hee eyes, and her throat dried. She hadn't eaten since last night. Then, she'd just had a half burger she had shared with Momma.

The thought of last night made her hungrier.

One more sniff was all she could take. With fresh resolve, she set her suitcase down behind a bench on and turned right into the McDonalds parking lot.

I don't have any money, she thought, but maybe if I could get some...

The resturant was fairly empty. There were two workers talking and laughing loudly behind the counter. There was also another black family sitting in the playground section. They probably had 2 to 3 kids, Nikki judged.

She picked the table all the way in the back of the resturant and sat down. She hadnt done that in some time either.

The table was a perfect spot. It was

closer to the playground, which meant no one will notice her. But you could also see everything that went on, both inside the resturant and the playground section.

After sitting for a few moments, resting, Nikki turned to the task at hand.

She really had no money with her. But she was starving and she couldn't go on this way without something to eat. On the other hand, anyone looking at kids in the playground could see that they were not starving. They probably had something to eat today. They had a home, and two parents who loved them. Nikki... she really had nothing in comparison.  She made up her mind.  All she needed was 10 dollars and the perfect opportunity to get it.

Suddenly, the family sitting in the Playground section came into the main part. The kids started talking all at once and pointing at the menu. The man started ordering food for everyone. This was almost too perfect.

She glanced at the table where the family sat and spotted a forgotten wallet. Probably the man's. Nikki glanced back at the family. 

The wife was talking to one of her sons,  trying to collect orders.

"And Shane, you said you wanted - ?" 

"Cheeseburger, dad! I don't like nuggets," said 'Shane', who looked about 6. 

"Cheeseburger?Are you sure you don't want - " she turned away. 

It was perfect! Everyone was so busy with what they were doing. No one would notice her getting up to do anything.

Slowly and discreetly, Nikki slid out from under the table. Her feet silently crept towards the door. She reached, opened it and slid through.

She was amazingly calm, like it was normal. When she was close enough, her hand reached over the table and snatched the wallet up.

She turned away from the resturant.  The wallet was shiny. It felt smooth and warm and full. After fingering the prize for a second, she opened it up.

She thumbed through two or three pockets with no luck. Her throat dried and breathing became quicker as. Faintly, she heard the man say,

"And for the last order, I'd like - " She started searching at a rapid pace. Finally, she found a pocket containing 2 crisp, new 20 dollar bills. Just in time too, because the family was headed her direction. Her meal would have to wait. She dropped the wallet on the table and fled out of the playground, slowing only when she passed them.

They stared at her as she walked by, eyes fastened to the floor. She could barely breathe, and didn't dare stop runing until she reached outside. She grabbed her suitcase and began walking down the sidewalk like all was normal again.

Glancing behind her,  she could see the kids staring suspiciosly at her and the man thumbing through his wallet. Then all their attention turned on her and she began to do a mix between a hop and a run.

She wondered for a brief second if the man would have enough money to pay for his kids' meals. But there wasn't anything Nikki could do about it. This money would feed her for at least 3 days, if she saved enough. And three days was all she needed to find Momma.   _____________________________________________________________________

Dedicated to @Through_The_Ashes for introducing me to Wattpad and encouraging me to write :)