IN THE DARK

Late Night

Omniscient

Porsha sat down on the ground, her back against the brick wall. She pulled out a vape, put it between her cold, dry lips, and inhaled. She held a half-empty bottle of Jack Daniel's in her other hand. She drank what was left and tossed the empty bottle to the side. Porsha has been struggling for some time now. She was working non-stop and barely had enough money to pay her Bills let alone feed herself. She had some family willing to help out with anything but was too stubborn to accept help, she felt like they were only trying to throw money at her and didn't actually care. Porsha knew that she should've had her life together by now but she was twenty-eight and going nowhere.

Porsha sighed deeply then got up, taking one more puff of the Vape before putting it back into her pocket. She then focused her gaze on the corner store across the street. It was the middle of the night and the store was empty but there was this one woman she saw every night at this exact time. The woman was beautiful, she had a face that could kill if you stared too long. As creepy as it sounds, Porsha got out of her bed sometimes to see the mystery woman, she rode in a black BMW that just so happened to pull up.

She began making her way towards the store, looking both ways before she crossed the street—as soon as she made it across she thought of what she wanted to eat, porsha had no money but she knew this corner store like the back of her hand. She'd only take something light; something that wouldn't make noise when she walked so she settled for a Snickers bar and a small pack of Reese's cups. After the woman entered the store, Porsha followed right after. The store was quiet, no music was playing tonight, and the cashier as usual had his head in a book.

Porsha went straight toward the candy aisle but stopped in her tracks when she saw the woman walking her way, she paid Porsha no attention walking past her. Porsha let out a breath she didn't know she was holding and kept walking toward the candy bars, grabbing the Snickers and Resee cups and stuffing the chocolate in her pockets. As soon as she was about to walk away she came face to face with the mystery woman—Porsha was stuck, she didn't move, she couldn't move.

"You know stealing can get you six months in jail?" The woman questioned quietly. Porsha didn't reply, her timid demeanor made the woman smile. She reached into her pocket pulling out the chocolate bars, "If you need help paying for these all you had to do was ask sweetheart."

"I'm sorry," Porsha said quietly. "Do you need help paying for these?" she asked again, grabbing her chin. "Yes ma'am"

The woman nodded and grabbed Porsha's hand pulling her towards the cashier, putting the candy and her items on the counter. "Just these thank you"

"You know we don't charge you." The Man said bagging all the items. I looked down at the woman confused as to why she didn't have to pay. "How many times do I have to remind you all that I am a regular customer just like everybody else."

"Miss Burruss, please you will not be charged here ever." The man pushed the bag towards the woman I now know as Miss Burruss, she took out a one hundred dollar bill and sat it on the counter then grabbed the bag saying bye to the cashier walking away with her hand still in mine. After they left the store, Miss Burruss let go of Porsha's hand and handed over the candy. "Thank you," Porsha said under her breath. "Do you need a ride home?" she asked. "No, I can walk."

"It's too dark out for you to walk."

"I live down the street, It's not far."

Miss Burruss shook her head, "No way I'm letting a pretty little thing like you walk alone, Get in the car and I can take you home, no problem."

The woman's smile was warm and welcoming, her eyes sparkled even in the darkness, and Porsha was hypnotized. Miss Burruss walked over to the passenger side with Porsha following behind her. she opened the door gesturing to Porsha to hop in. "You're safe with me I promise," The woman reassured the taller woman.

'You're safe with me.' It replayed in Porsha's mind as she climbed into the vehicle. Miss Burruss shut the door then got into the driver's seat, started up the car, and pulled off.

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Music played on the radio as the two women cruised down the road. Miss Burruss took one left turn into Porsha's apartment complex and then stopped at the front entrance. "Don't eat both tonight, save one for tomorrow." Miss Burruss insisted. Porsha nodded, opening the car door and getting out. She turned around and muttered, "Thank you for the ride, it was very nice of you." Making minimal eye contact.

"Anytime sweetie, you have a nice night."

Porsha nodded, "you too." And with that, she shut the door and quickly walked away. Miss Burruss sat there until Porsha could no longer be seen then put her car in drive and drove off.

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Porsha shut the door behind her and locked it, then immediately went into her room and jumped in her bed, throwing the eviction notice she found taped to her front door in the trash. As tears trickled down her cheeks, Porsha began to punch her bed hoping to let all the anger she was holding out. She didn't expect this to be her life, she wanted better for herself, to be something, someone. What was she doing wrong? She wondered, why it was like this.

Porsha hoped to find an answer to her problems or she feared that one day she'd say she had enough and leave this and the world behind.

As the sun rose, light shined through Porsha's windows bringing light into the dark apartment. The tall woman sat on her couch staring at the plain white wall, today was her birthday, twenty-nine years had passed at the speed of light.

This day was supposed to be special but it wasn't, it was just a reminder of life and her existence. Even though this day wasn't exciting to Porsha she hoped for a phone call from her Mom, siblings, or anybody. She doesn't have friends, something she could never do was make friends, such a sad life she's living but somehow she makes it through the day.

Porsha stood up and grabbed her bag making her way out the door and on her way towards the bus stop. The weather was colder than usual, it's Monday, it's always Monday. Every time Porsha opens her eyes she's at work, taking orders, prepping food, mopping floors—it was so draining.

When she arrived business was slow, she was a bit early so she sat in the food court until it was time for her to clock in. A couple minutes went by making the time eleven O'clock, she did a deep heavy sigh before standing up but before she could walk away she felt a firm grasp on her shoulder. "Nice seeing you again."

Porsha turned around trying to hide her smile, she'd recognize that low raspy voice from a mile away. "Hi, Miss Burruss. What are you doing here so early?"

" Please, call me Kandi and I have an event tonight so I have some late shopping to do." Porsha nodded, her eyes roaming the shorter woman's body. "When I'm talking to you I need eye contact and verbal answer baby."

"Yes ma'am." Porsha said, her eyes now glued to the floor. Kandi laughed "How old are you?"

"Twenty-nine."

"Okay youngan, when's your birthday?"

"Today."

"Oh, Happy birthday." Kandi said, grabbing the taller woman's chin, pushing her head up for their eyes to meet. "Thank you."

"I have to clock in so..."

"Oh, okay when do you get off?"

"Nine O'clock."

"Why so late?, you don't have plans with your family or friends?" Porsha sighed "No, I don't have friends...my family and I don't talk."

"Hm, well I want you to enjoy your day so, I'll come back at nine and you can celebrate your birthday with me, Would you like that?"

Porsha nodded her head "yeah, I would like that." Even though Porsha doesn't know this woman from a can of paint...she felt safe with her.

"Good, I'll see you later then." Kandi replied, taking Porsha's hand, rubbing her knuckles before letting go and walking away. Porsha smiled as she wiped away the tears that fell down her redden cheeks, it made her happy that someone actually cared—even if that someone was a stranger.
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