Dear Ana

Focus

       Julia walked down the sidewalk. Her bag weighing her down. She was walking to the bookstore. They loved her. She always had a gift for them because she showed up so often.
     She walked and greeted them with a drawing she drew for them. It was a record player with music notes flying out in a spiral with a young girl reading on top of the notes. They thanked her and she walked to her usual starting spot. Jodi Picoult has her own section. Julia loved seeing if she had any new releases. She owned all of Jodi's books. She hoisted he's bag in her shoulder and walked to the cookbook corner where people could set their bags. She set her bags down and walked down the steep steps to the record room.
     This was Julia's second favourite spot in the store. She looked through all the records, picking out a few to purchase for her collection. She walked upstairs after looking around for a few more minutes and walked to the main floor. She looked around but found nothing. She shrugged and walked upstairs. Luckily she was sixteen so she could go upstairs to the literary section. The books are very old and very hard to find anywhere else. That's why she got most of her classics here.
     Julia selected a few more items and walked backstairs. She held her money to the man at the counter.
     "Hey haven't seen you in a few days. Where you been?" He asked, ringing up her items.
    Julia blushed and looked at the counter. She didn't want to tell him that she had to be evaluated at the hospital because she almost passed out in gym. "I've been sick." She said.
    He nodded and handed her the bag of items she bought. "Well it's good to see you again. Is that all you'll be getting?"
    Julia nodded. She grabbed her book bag and the bag of items. "I'll see you later." She said and walked out of the store. She walked down the sidewalk to her house. It was quite a long way by foot. An hour and four minutes to be exact. She stumbled and held a hand to her forehead, letting the dizziness pass. She hadn't eaten in two days. It wasn't like she looked skinny. At least not to herself. She could stand to go a few more days without food. She just had to get through the dizziness. She was in control.
Julia shook her head and walked down the sidewalk the long way to her home. She arrived at the house. The first two kiddos were just getting off the bus as she arrived. She smiled and greeted them.
"Julia can we go to the park?" The youngest of the group asked loudly, bouncing beside her as they walk inside.
"As soon as the others get here." Julia said opening the door, letting the two kids inside.
She set her bag on the hook and looked at her list of chores. She had finished almost all of them in the morning. She set her bag of items next to her record player and walked into the kitchen. "Are you hungry? Do you need a snack?" She asked the kids as they sat down and began their homework.
"I'll have a banana." Said the youngest.
The oldest shook her head. She was busy with her math. Her tongue stuck out as she focused.
Julia smiled and tossed the youngest a banana.
She leaned on the counter and watched them with an amused face. Their homework was difficult for them but Julia found it amusing to watch them getting so focused. Her uncle walked through the door. He let the four year old in and glared. "The other three wont be here today. You got lucky." He snapped and walked upstairs to his room.
Julia knelt beside the four year old. "How was school Maria?" She asked softly, taking her book bag off and setting it on the hook.
"Good!" Her squeaky voice said.
Kayly, the middle really but the youngest in elementary school finished her homework and set it in her bag. She handed Julia her bag. Julia hung it up. "Go to the restroom before we go." She said.
Sarah finished her homework shortly after. She's the oldest.
Julia took her bag and hung it up. "Go to the restroom as well." She said. "Please Help Maria." She said.
The two ran to the bathroom.
Julia filled up water bottles for each of the kids and herself and put them in a small bag. The girls ran out. "Let's go Julia!" They cried happily and led her outside.
They always walked to the park. It was only a 12 minute walk.
Julia held the two youngest hands and the oldest held the four year olds hand. They walked in silence. Julia felt dizzy as they walked.
They arrived and she watched them run to the park.
"Julia? Is that you? Its been forever! You've gained weight!" A familiar voice cried running up to her.
It was an old friend from grade school. Julia winced at the thought of gaining weight. She forced a smirk. "Emelie Hello!" She said softly.
Emilie smiled back. "It's good to see you. Maybe we'll se each other again?" She said an tan back to the kids she must be babysitting.
Julia let out a breath, earning her a spell of dizziness. Her stomach growled, begging for food.
She knelt down and saw black spots. She closed her eyes and stood up again. She had to focus on the kids.