Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Alicia

Alicia nodded, afraid that if she spoke she would cry. “You understand that you are not wanted here?” Mrs. Verdent said “People here don’t want you, they, and me too, I am not afraid to admit, call you street trash. You should get an education, get a job, and then come back. We don’t want you here while you look like this.” Mrs. Verdent surveyed Alicia with her cold, heartless eyes. She seemed to look at her as if she was no more than a rat from the street. “You’re no even listening are you?!” Mrs. Verdent screeched at her, and Alicia managed to say “I am, listening that is, I am-” But Mrs. Verdent just laughed. “Why are you crying? Big girls don’t cry, no one must see you cry; ever. Now if you want to help out, you’ll start by walking out that door there.” She pointed to the front door, the one Alicia walked in with so much hope in her heart.
Alicia turned and ran, tears welling in her eyes. She couldn’t understand what she had done wrong. She reached the bus stop as it was beginning to rain. Clutching the book of poems to her chest, she stood in the pouring rain, waiting. Time and time again she slipped in a puddle, dropping the book. Now it was soggy and ruined. Alicia cried, “What did I do? Does anyone deserve this?” Crushed, she sat down on the wet grass and put her head in her hands, sobbing. Soon a freezing wind howled through the street, whipping rain into Alicia small, shivering frame.

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