One Last Hour

The Day It Happened

      "Now I'm going to tell you what happened yesterday and how I got into this situation." 

      "I woke up that morning, the same as every other day. It was gray outside, nice weather for a cup of tea and a good book. But I had to get to school." Her eyes watered at the memory of the missed experience. "I really wish that I had made that cup of tea. But at the time, I wasn't thinking that this is where I'd end up."

      "I got out of bed, brushed my teeth, changed, and pulled back my hair. Made myself a piece of toast and smothered it in peanut butter. Not the healthiest breakfast, but I didn't see anyone judging. I grabbed my backpack and my uniform for work and walked out the door." She breathed in, remembering all the details...

Time left = 0:46:39

Sept. 14

*** From her point of view on the day***

      It's chilly outside, but pleasant enough for me not to bring a heavy jacket. I say good morning to people I pass on the street as I make my way to the bus stop. When I get there, I sit down and wait. I always get here early so that I can read a little bit before the bus comes. I'm reading A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. It's my first time reading it and I'm looking forward to seeing how it ends.

      The bus pulls up and I hop aboard, cheerfully greeting Steve, the driver. I've known him for a while. He's been driving this bus for three years. He's happily married and has four kids. We always say hello and make small talk. I pay, thanking the heavens for the student discount.

      The bus reaches the school and I get off. I go to the classroom early and arrange my desk as I like it. The teacher, Mrs. Williams comes in and starts class. It's literature. We're studying books that were from the same time period and the contrast of viewpoints. It was fun, and Mrs. Williams always makes it interesting.

      Charlie, the guy who sits next to me, keeps nodding off. I don't blame him though. He's told me he works night shift as a security guard. He's at work from 11:00 to 5:00, and then he comes to school. Poor guy is trying to make enough money to support his mom. I wish him luck.

After class, I left for work...

***Time skip to after school***

     An alarm on my phone goes off, signaling the end of my school day. I say goodbye to Mrs. Williams and Charlie, then I leave for work.

      I make my way to Tina's Burgers. It's an old-fashioned joint, with milkshakes and wieners too. It's a good place to work. The pay is good and the company pleasant. I work with a guy named Phil and a girl named Samantha. They're fun and currently dating. Gives the place a nice feel with their cute flirting as they waited tables.

We mostly get repeat customers. Some have even been coming here for twenty years. Everyone knows everyone else. And everyone is happy. It's a good feeling. I've worked here for five years. It was new and strange when I first started. But I'm really glad I stayed.

All the customers like me. Tina dotes on me and is constantly trying to set me up with one boy or another. It's sweet of her but I always tell her that I'm not interested. Our customers are the best. There's this one lady, Sarah's her name. She's trying to get into show business. She sings like an angel but she can't seem to catch a break. Sometimes she'll sing for us, around Christmas Time and during the spring. If she sings us Christmas songs, Tina always gives everyone free hot chocolate. And she's really talented, I hope she gets her chance.

Greg is a guy who's was here way before I started. Comes in every day at 3:00, and likes to sit in a booth. He orders a hamburger, a strawberry milkshake, and extra pickles. He tells everyone jokes and is very funny. After the ten years he's been coming here, I don't know how he has any jokes left. He's like a grandpa character for everyone here.