Lucky or BLESSED?

3

It had been two weeks since Mrs Bartolo moved into the home.

I was a little worried about her at first because I didn't know if she'd be able to get along with the other people in the home because she always seemed a little distant like her mind was else where. Who could blame her? She was probably thinking about her son who'd let her go and his crazy wife who'd demanded that she leave.

I walked into her  room  holding her breakfast tray which consisted of a warm bowl of oatmeal, a few slices of watermelon and a glass of some kind of kiwi juice.

She sat on the bed and smiled up at me as I came up to her.

"Good morning Mrs Bartolo." Because of her I always went to the home in the mornings to check on her. I didn't know why but I had become so fond of the gentle old lady and bothered about her constantly.

It also helped considering the fact that the home was just a few blocks away from the bakery where I worked.

"Elsa. How are you dear?" she beamed at me as I set the tray down on the little coffee table on her room. The other tenants in the home normally ate together in the dinning hall but Mrs Bartolo always preferred to eat in her room.

"I'm fine thanks. Here's your breakfast."

"Thank you dear. Are you in a hurry to leave now?" she asked totally ignoring

the meal set in front of her.

"Yes I am. I'm already running late." I relied opening the window by the bed so I could let some fresh air in. " Why? Do you need anything?"

"No actually. I just wanted to discuss something with you." she replied finally looking at her breakfast.

"Well I'll be here later in the afternoon and we can talk then."

She nodded then smiled at me as I waved at her before running down the hall and out of the building.

My day passed quite fast and most things were a blur. I was just preparing to leave when I heard someone squeal my name from the front door.

Turning,I caught sight of beach blonde hair and a pair of electric green eyes.

My friend and next door neighbour Annette bounced into the room. I was surprised to see her here because she hardly ever came to the bakery plus we both worked in the bar together so I always met her there.

"Annette. What are you doing here?" I asked drying my hands in a paper towel before stepping around the counter towards her. She had a nervous look on her face and she couldn't. seem to meet my eyes. I instantly knew something was wrong.

"Annette." I called again starting to worry.

She just sighed and pulled out a white folded piece of paper from her trouser pocket. She handed it to me and I already knew what was inside.

Silently hoping I was wrong, I unfolded it and what I saw on the first line made my heart sink

Eviction notice.

I was being kicked out of my house. I had been able to pay up the rent of only one month out of the three I owed. I

took a look at Annette who was watching me like she expected me to break down and go on a rampage against my landlord but instead I just gave a small nod. I was expecting it after all.

"Thank you for bringing this Annette."

"Hey relax. You can move in with me until you find a place to stay." she replied patting my shoulder.

"Really?" I asked. I didn't want to be a burden to anyone but I had to swallow my pride because I actually needed a roof over my head right now.

" Yeah. I'll see you at the bar okay?"