Summer NIghts

EMMA 

I spent more than five hours looking for work while pacing the streets of Pullman, but my efforts were in vain. With only my mother and one brother for support, I have been in this situation for the past five years.

I'm Emma Shadwick, the first child of the Shadwick family, and since my father passed away from this cruel world a year ago, I've had to assist my mother by helping her take care of our family's necessities and paying for my brother's college education.

As luck would have it, nobody wants to have me around, not even for a simple dishwashing job that I couldn't get.

What a miserable life I have!

While the ground I just trod on hurts my legs, I must go on till I arrive home. I had considered numerous ways to obtain this thin paper called money, which is valued highly in the realm of commerce, as I made the trip to my house.

But the only things that sprang to my mind were theft, providing services to men, and other terrible deeds. They wouldn't be thrilled about it, especially my mother, if I was caught doing it, so I shook my head as my heart ached.

I simply have to wave the wicked notion away whenever it enters my thoughts, but the impulse to get my hands in it still nags at me.

My nasty and insane idea was interrupted by a car's screeching sound. I could picture myself standing in the midst of a deserted street.

I was certain that I had stumbled there and that no one could have touched or spoken to me. In my front was the most recent Mercedes-Benz that had been slain with Rose paint.

A woman in her late 60s, or should I say early 70s, got out of the passenger's seat and hurried to my side.

She examined me to see if I was hurt, and I grinned and replied, "Your car didn't hit me therefore I'm perfect." She took a deep breath and then let it out with a frightened sigh.

"Do you feel alright, dear?" She inquired, her face still showing signs of apprehension. She had brown hair that was long and curly, which complemented her Hazel eyes perfectly, and her smile immediately warmed my heart. She was a classic, simple, and beautiful woman, and I graciously admired her.

"It's nothing, ma'am; I'm completely fine." I replied while she continuing to look within my body.

"What are you considering? That is silly of you to cross the road absentmindedly" 

I responded to the kind woman's comment with a heavy sigh and tears that managed to escape my eyes.

What do I say to her? I'm trying to find a job so that my family will have food, or I don't have enough money to continue to pay for my brother's education.

I refrained from speaking while choosing to resist the impulse to share my problems with her. "You don't want to talk about it," she said after analyzing my facial expression.

She started heading back to her car after I quickly nodded. She might be leaving since I didn't disclose my problems, I sobbed.

I bowed my head in disappointment. At least I should have explained my situation to her; who knows, maybe she could have assisted me.

I looked up as my eyes sparkled at the sound of heels stomping on the ground. I spotted her holding a stack of cash and a promotional card.

Don't say she's giving me everything!

She spoke after clearing her throat, saying, "I suspected you might be suffering from one or more conditions that I don't know about that could be causing your thoughts to be restless. She paused and focused on her hands.

She gave me her complimentary card and said, "Take this and try to call me anytime you want to talk about it," and I gratefully accepted it.

"And this," she said as she raised the cash in her hand and set it down on mine. She said, "Please accept this small token from me and don't bother to refuse it because I won't accept that from you," and I was forced to allow the tears in my eyes to flow.

Who said I would turn down this? How could I possibly refuse this favor from you?

"You have no idea what a jubilant bundle I felt at your kind words, ma'am. In this horrible world I live in, you made me complete, and now I can smile once more "I sighed, appreciating the kind woman in front of me while also crying.

She was transfixed by my behavior and pulled me into her arms for a warm hug, during which I did nothing but sob on her shoulder.

She grinned as we retreated. "I don't know what attracted me to you, but I liked you as soon as I laid eyes on you," she said. I whimpered as she spoke.

"I'm here to aid you, my love, as I understand by your behaviors right now that you need the assistance." She said as she put her two hands on my cheeks, and I grinned in response.

"I don't seem to know anyone who is still alive on this planet who can try to assist me because I've encountered a lot of difficulties, ma'am. You're such a nice woman."

As I said, she gave me a sorrowful expression.

"I assure you, everything will be alright. Anytime you're ready, just give me a call." She grunted.

"Certainly, I'll place a call onto you." After I responded, she approached and gave me a peck on the cheek while grinning.

"I'm leaving right now, so don't try to think about anything else." She cautioned, and I agreed, saying, "I won't."

She called out to her driver, "Jonai, Let's go," and shuffled over to the vehicle. I extended my pleasantries to the driver, who grinned and waved his hand in the air.

They both got into the car, and the gas was instantly turned on as I watched. The woman waved back at me with a smile.

"Avoid thinking too much!" she warned again. The car went in the direction of the road.

"Sorry to bother you, but what is your name?” I approached the automobile after she asked.

“My name is Emma Shadwick, ma'am,” I said, and she grinned. "I'm looking forward to your call."

I backed up as the car started, watching it proceed toward the road until I had had enough. I fixed my eyes on the cash and laughed merrily.

It's been a while since I've seen or handled this kind of money. They should last us several months, and I believe we should at the very least eat a nice supper today.

My heart was pounding with joy as I swiftly made my way home, and I squealed with delight.

Homecoming, Mom! I'm coming home.

My life had just taken a turn, Emma!

A turn!

Is it turning out well or poorly?