She'd always prided herself on being able to care for her own, and was thrifty so that there was money set aside for a rainy day. Sometimes though, betrayal sidetracks even the most careful and cautious of plans. while she was working hard and sacrificing to keep their family safe and happy, her husband was making other plans entirely. once day she went to the grocery and swiped the bank card only to have it denied. She apologized and left the groceries, and made her way to the bank to check on the situation.
The bank teller informed her that her husband had closed all of their accounts earlier that morning, informing them that he was moving out of state. Seeing the confusion on her former client's face, the teller guessed at the situation and blinked realizing what she'd just said. "I'm so sorry. He should have told you not to use the cards until you arrived at your new home."
"Yeah, he should have told me we were moving too," she replied as she turned and went to the door and sat in her car. There had to be some mistake. She drove to his office and went inside. The secretary smiled, "Hi Mrs. Hughes, I thought you'd be long gone already. Did James forget something?"
She smiled and nodded, "Can I check in his office real quick?"
"Oh sure! No one new has moved int here yet." She stood and took her to James' office and unlocked the door. "Take your time and let me know if I can help you find anything. he was a horrible mess in here."
"Thanks Michelle...I should be able to find it on my own." So, it was true. He'd gone without a word. She moved to the desk and saw a pad with indentations on it and grabbed it, hoping it might be a clue to where he'd gone. She rifled through the desk drawers and even fired up the computer to check his browsing history, which she immediately regretted. She stared at the picture of the pretty little blonde and sighed.
She found a small pouch in one of the drawers and grabbed it too, without looking inside it. She held it up for Michelle to see, "Found it! You have a great day! Thanks so much."
Michelle beamed at her, "Good luck in Seattle!"
Brenda nodded, "Thanks! I'm sure everything will be just fine." She went back to the car and laid her head on the steering wheel for a second trying to gather her thoughts. She needed a job, right now. James had taken every cent out of their joint account, and she only had two weeks before the rent was due.
She went to every local retailer and fast food place only to be told they only had part time positions available. Part time wasn't going to pay her bills or feed her two children. She went into the family services office feeling like a complete failure. speaking with a social worker there, however, made her realize exactly what kind of situation her husband had left her in. She had no idea where he'd gone, and Seattle might not even be right. If he wanted to sneak away why would he tell anyone where he was really going? She was given a list of places to apply for full time work though, so that was helpful.
She went home and waited for her kids to get home from school wondering how she was going to tell them what had happened. But they never came home. By six o'clock she was frantic and calling the police, but there was no sign of her children anywhere. Her search for a job took a back seat to the search for her children. Oddly enough, it never occurred to her that James might have taken them, only that someone had and they were in danger.
Unfortunately, the rent came due as always and she had nothing to pay. The landlord gave her an eviction notification with a date two weeks from then. They had been on a month to month lease for over a year, since they had been saving for a house, or she thought they had been. Apparently they were saving for a move of another kind entirely.
She sold everything she could and left the apartment as ordered putting the few things she had left into the car. She continued to check at the police station daily for any word on her children but was given the same apologetic answer every day. She finally got a job at a fast food restaurant and worked as many hours as she could, always taking anyone's shift when she could, but the money was not good and though she was living in her car, keeping gas in it and finding a place to park became a constant struggle.
Then it came time to renew the tags and registration. She frowned realizing she had to pay for it, or she could no longer drive the car to work, but if she paid it, there would be no money for gas. despair swamped her and with a sense of the inevitable weighing down upon her, she sold the car and paid for a month of rent at a seedy hotel. At least she would be able to take a hot shower was her only thought.
But the month came to an end and she had spent so much money getting to and from work, first on cab fare and then giving other employees money for gas if they picked her up, that there was no extra left to pay for another month. So, after work that night, she stood outside the local Church mission for homeless people but could not bring herself to enter. Instead she walked to the little park at the center of town and sat on a bench. Eventually sleep claimed her but she was awakened in the middle of the knight by a tap to the bottom of her feet, "No sleeping here Miss...sorry." The officer said.
Apologizing profusely she stood up and gathered her few things and walked away. She walked and walked and eventually ended up at her employer's parking lot. She went inside and used the bathroom and then sat in the lobby waiting for her shift to start. No one thought anything of this the first day, but when it became apparent she was sitting there all the time she wasn't working the manager called her into his small office and asked what was going on. She told him and he frowned. He told her she couldn't work for them if she didn't have a permanent address and that she could not loiter in the lobby, taking up customer space all day.
Again she apologized and left waving to the others as she smiled and went her way. She walked again and finally she sat down on the ground, her feet too sore and tired to move another step as hunger clawed at her. She closed her eyes and bowed her head and felt something fall on her lap. It was a quarter and a dime. When she looked up a little girl was looking at her, "feel better." She said and then ran off.
She looked down at the coins and felt tears sting her eyes for the first time since this had all begun. she rubbed the two coins between her fingers as sobs choked out and shook her shoulders. People saw her, but passed on by giving her a very wide berth. If she'd seen it, she'd have been bothered but she was beyond seeing people.
But then someone sat beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. "Shhh now...nothin's that bad...shhh...it's gonna be alright..."
Brenda leaned into the embrace, not even knowing who it was, but so grateful for the kindness and human contact. Her tears dried up and she lifted her red swollen eyes to see who was comforting her. She saw a dirty face and a crooked smile with a few teeth missing. "thank you..sorry...I don't usually fall apart."
"Pft...everyone does no and again...nothing to be sorry about." another crooked smile, "You ok honey?"
"No...I guess not." she said finally able to admit it.
"You're young it will get better...just never give up. Soon as you let this get to you..it's all over. Now..come on with me over to the mission." She said struggling to her feet.
"Oh...I don't want to take away from someone who really needs help..." Brenda argued.
"Honey...I just found you crying on the street...I ain't seen anyone in weeks needs more help than you do." She pointed a cane at her, "Pride will be the death of ya...come on now..listen to old Granny."
Brenda gathered up her few things and followed realizing that was some of the wisest advice she'd ever heard.
