The Poor Sparrow

Recruitment

     It was so cold. Despite the layered clothing, the frigid cold pierced through Hannah's body. Breathing heat into her hands, she wandered around the Christmas tree tent. Watching happy families wander around pointing out beautiful trees to take home, it reminded Hannah of what that felt like. The heat of a fireplace, and the warmth of a loving home. She missed that.
Eventually, she spotted a nice looking car, no one else seemed to acknowledge it, so when she believed the coast was clear, she walked up to it and looking inside. The first thing she saw was a large black purse, then the leather seats, a new car perhaps? Hannah was never good with cars. Her dad really liked them though. Still looking into the car she heard a voice from behind her say,
"Can I help you?" It was snarky, the owner of the car?
"Oh, I'm sorry! I'll be on my way now..." Hannah replied, turning around and keeping her eyes low. Keep her face hidden.
"Hey!" Said the voice, grabbing Hannah's wrist tightly. Hannah looked down at the hand that grabbed her.
"I don't want trouble..." Hannah whispered. She knew what she was planning to do at that car. She had to buy food.
"Turn around then! Let me see your face." The voice sneered. Hannah didn't know why, but she did what the voice said. Hannah turned around and looked at the person who'd grabbed her. It was a girl. About the same age as her. The girls face seemed to get red, Hannah, of course, got a little scared.
"Oh dear! Are you alright? It's very cold out your face shouldn't be that hot...are you sick?" Hannah held up the back of her hand to the girls cheek. It was hot and it only seemed to be getting hotter.
"Hold on a second." Hannah looked in her pocket with her free hand and pulled out a water bottle. Her last one for the day.
"Here," Hannah offered, "Drink this, it'll help with that fever you've got!" Hannah smiled, she was taught to take care of others before herself.
"I'm fine, lady." The girl replied. Her face seemed almost as red as a tomato. She sighed. "This is probably super weird to ask but, how would you feel about being a house maid? My family wants me to get one and the fact that you, someone who's obviously homeless, would offer me, someone definitely more well off, their stuff, for free. And, you are a bit cute so, you wanna live with me?" The girl asked, it took a minute for Hannah to realize the offer, but once she did she was overjoyed!
"Yes! Oh, yes! I'll be your maid!" Hannah exclaimed, she was so excited. She hugged the girl who'd recruited her, "Thank you! Oh, thank you so much!"
"Get off! Off!" The girl grunted. She doesn't like hugs apparently.
"Oh! I'm so sorry!" Hannah apologized, "Silly me, I hadn't even introduced myself. Hi, I'm Hannah, what's your name?" Hannah put on her sweetest smile, and extended her hand.
"It's fine." The girl mumbled, "I'm Sarah." She grabbed Hannah's hand and shook it. "Nice to meet you." Sarah said. The neither of them unlocked their hands, so Sarah just dragged Hannah along.
Soon enough they walked back to Sarah's car, Hannah got in the backseat, trying not to get anything dirty. Sarah threw some clean clothes back there and told Hannah to change.
"Like...right now?" Hannah asked, curiously.
"Yes, right now Hannah. I can't bear that smell of your clothes..." Sarah groaned. It was a simple T-shirt, jacket and jeans situation.
"Ok." Hannah replied, she started taking off her layers one by one until she was left with her torso mostly exposed. Her bra didn't smell too great either but the clean shirt and jacket masked it fairly well. Hannah finished changing clothes.
"So, what'll be my first task when we get to your house?" Hannah asked, she was excited.
"My brother will give you your first task. So, what's your preferred salary? Ten bucks an hour?" Sarah replied, changing the subject.
     "Oh, uh...sure. That sounds good. Hey, do you not want to talk about your brother? My mom would do stuff like this all the time when she was uncomfortable with something." Hannah asked.
     Sarah sighed. "Well, I just...he's driven away all the other maids we've had. That's why we're in desperate need of a maid! He's just a big creep. Don't pay him any mind." Sarah said, she seemed concerned a little.
     "I know how to deal with creeps, trust me. A good stab in the kidney and they're out cold." Hannah giggled, Sarah looked slightly fearful.
     After a few moments of driving, they arrived at a large gate, Sarah talked to the security guard for a second and then they were let in. Hannah stuck her head out of the window and admired all of the big houses. She had this huge goofy smile on her face. Eventually, they reached Sarah's house.
     Hannah exits the car herself and stares at the house and floral arrangements around.
     "This is where you live?! This is like...ten times the size of my old house!!" Hannah practically jumped with enthusiasm, she was so excited, she'd finally have another home. She'd have a normal life again. Well, not so normal, but she'd be in a house again. Hannah started to tear up, not out of sadness, but out of glee.
    
"Look Ma! I made it!" Hannah whispered.