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| Sunday, 12 June 2005 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Telling Tales Too young to be alone The day had started off dark
and gloomy, with a steady drizzle of cold rain that just never seemed to
stop. Adria crouched in the doorway of a Starbucks, hands in pockets,
shoulders hunched against the cold.
She had tried to walk into a coffee shop this morning, intent on buying a cup, but as soon as the shop owner had seen her, he had bustled over, eyes full of suspicion, "You go now!" he had growled. "You go!" He had pointed to the door. Adria had held up a handful of dollar bills "But I-" he held up a hand "No!" So she had stuffed her money back in her pocket, and, her eyes full of tears and heart full of shame she had trudged back outside into the rain. She had tried talking to a few homeless people, but had come to the quick realisation that most of them were running with only one headlight. They hissed and screeched if you came near them, a few begged for money, and one had actually thrown an empty wine bottle at her, which had smashed all over some guys new BMW sitting on the curb, setting off an alarm and causing her to shove past the old woman and run as fast as she could, she feared starving, but she feared going to jail even more. As the days had passed by, her money had dwindled, all the clothes she had managed to stuff into her small duffel bag were now filthy, and she had nowhere to go. "Well what did you expect?" she muttered to herself, turning to look through the glass windows of the Starbucks. It looked so warm and dry...."s#$!& it" she said, suddenly pushing open the door and striding inside. A few heads turned her way, and the woman behind the counter eyed her suspiciously, but no one screamed at her to leave. The delicious smell of coffee and small pastries hit her full force and her mouth watered, she thought she might cry when her stomach started rumbling in protest. She walked to the bathroom, quickly washed her hands and face, rummaged through her duffel bag, found an elastic band, and pulled her hair up into a ponytail. There, she didn't look so bad, she thought staring at her reflection. Her eyes were an icy blue, her complexion smooth and soft....although the cold wind and rain was giving her a strained weathered look....she was beginning to look like a homeless person. Her black wool coat which was new a week ago, was now matted and stained from days of sleeping on the streets. Her jeans were thin and had brown smudges all over them, her black boots were the only thing that really held up, they kept her feet dry, and that's all that mattered. She was hungry....she looked hungry, she could see the hollowness in her cheeks, just beginning, but there all the same. She drank some water from the faucet scrubbed her finger over her teeth, and headed back out the door. She walked up to the counter to get some coffee, but the girl just stood there staring at her. "Can I get a cup of coffee?" she asked, holding her chin up. The girl looked down her perfect little nose at Adria, snorted, and tapped one perfectly manicured nail on the counter-top. "Yeah, right" she said, smacking her gum. Adria felt a streak of anger run through her, "Yeah, I want a cup of coffee!" she exclaimed, trying not to raise her voice. The girl sighed, looked around to see if people were watching, they were, and then said "Honey, the shelter is two blocks thatta way, and one street down." She pointed her slim finger out the door and to the left. Adrias face burned and she turned to leave, the snickers and laughter followed her out the door and down the street. She walked, ducking under doorways for minutes at a time, just to get out of the rain, stopping to gaze into a store window at the clothes and jewellery being displayed. She walked for an hour, not knowing where she was going, just wandering, not caring anymore. Hot tears slid down her cheeks and melted with the rain. What had she gotten herself into? Was it really so bad that she had to leave? At this last thought she stopped walking and wiped away her tears, which was pointless because rain still dripped down her forehead and into her face. "Yes, I had to leave" she said to herself. "I had to." She forced down the awful memories that were trying to push their way to the surface, then, a tinkling sound....and soft laughter. She looked to her right to see the door to a small hole in the wall, twenty-four-hour diner swing open, just long enough for her to get a whiff of scrambled eggs and sausage. She walked up to the door as the man walked out, and surprisingly, he held it open for her. She paused, looked up at him, mumbled a small thank you, and hurried inside. She found a booth in the very back, and quickly slid into it, trying not to attract any attention. She used some napkins to wipe the rain from her hands and face, then she pulled off her jacket and sweater. Continued next week |
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| Politics | Produced by Lake House |
She
knew people inside were staring at her, but she was afraid to go in. At
first no one ever gave her a second glance, but after four days of not
showering, and sleeping in boxes and doorways, people were starting to
notice. 
