The Flower Girl

SIX

I started walking away from my house, I kept questioning myself. Should I do this? Could I do this?  What if I get caught? I was afraid. I was going to miss Tommy. 

I ended up on the street behind ours. I was walking on the sidewalk, I don't even know why I was going the way I was. I was hopeful that no one saw me.

One old man stared from his porch, he sat in his rocking chair with a fluffy cat on his lap. I forced a smile and looked away.

I was already probably about thirty minutes away from my house. I think. My legs hurt. The sun was almost about to settle down. Where am I going to sleep? I was alone. With no one with me. Well, with Her of course. I started to panic, I wanted to go back. I had to. 

Every time I thought to turn back I just kept walking further.

The sun settled and it just got darker and darker until it was night time. I wonder how momma and papa are reacting right now. Probably happy. I wonder why they didn't just let me go the first time I left?

I was already tired from walking so much. My bones were stiff. I started to think of a place to sleep. I was in a weird part of town. Stores were around, cars passing by. No one seemed to be concerned for the girl walking alone. 

A newspaper hit my ankle and it startled me. I looked over it; on the cover was a girl and her mother. They had won a metal for winning a pie eating contest together.  They both looked happy. Their smiles were big. Why can't momma and I be like that? I let go of the newspaper so it could go free. Oh how I wish I was that newspaper.

 I found a tiny corner nearby a lit up store. There were no cars. I saw a spider, but didn't scream. I had bigger fears than some bugs. 

I laid down one of my T-shirts and laid on it. I used another shirt as a pillow, and another as a blanket. The sharp pain from my legs was so sudden. They were sore, I had never walked so much. 

I took out my flower and said, "Goodnight little flower," I kissed it and put it back, then laid down. I took a last look at the stars above me. I was free. I hope. 

I wondered what surprises the world had for me tomorrow. Are my parents celebrating or calling the cops? Is Tommy worried? Oh poor Tommy. Starting tomorrow is going to be a good day. I was going to be happy. I smiled. A tear rolled down my cheek. I wiped it off. The word happy kept running on my mind. I finally closed my eyes and went to deep sleep.