Help Me, It Hurts

Homeless

"Sorry," I mumbled. She laughed as she threw an arm around me. I flinched at the motion and slowly stepped aside, making her arm fall from around my shoulders. I couldn't help the fear that had taken hold of me. It wasn't just my father that was abusive, it was my mother too. Unfortunately, I didn't just have issues with men, but with women as well. I took a deep breath to recenter myself. Mo looked at me with a small, sad smile.

"What's your name, suga'?" She asked me.

"Ally," I replied.

"Well, come on, Ally. We have to open the shop by 7 and get you all cleaned up." I glanced at the sky. I think it was probably around 6:30. She continued walking and this time made sure not to touch me again.

It took around 10 minutes to get the cafe. Once she unlocked the cafe, she ushered me into the back where she gave me a uniform that was the same one she was wearing and a white apron the started at the waist and descended down to about an inch above the trim of the dress. The trim of the apron was a lace detail that completed the old-fashioned look. She showed me to the bathroom where she gave me a washcloth and some soap.

"I'm sorry it's not body wash, it's all I have-" She began apologizing, but I quickly cut her off.

"It's more than enough, thank you." I gave her a small smile. She nodded before leaving me alone to wash up in the bathroom sink and change. Luckily, I had a clean pair of underwear I could change into as well. There was a laundry mat that I snuck into to put my clothes in with others who have started washing their clothes and had left while it was completing the cycle. I felt bad for doing it but it was the only way to have clean clothes.

I quickly washed up, seeing as she had to open the shop in less than 20 minutes. Stepping out of the bathroom, I found Mo starting the coffee near the checkout station. She glanced up and smiled when she saw me.

"I'm glad it fits! Here you go, you'll need this for serving. I'll have Chelsea show you the loops of everything- she should be here by 7." I nodded as I took the notepad and pen from her. I took a deep breath and almost began to drool as I smelled something delicious, muffins maybe? "I just put some muffins in the oven. They shouldn't take long, so they will be hot and ready for the morning customers!" I almost smiled at how enthusiastic she was about her hot muffins. She paused for a moment, looking at me.

"Would you like to stay with me? I'd have to ask you to put some money in for food, but-" I cut her off by shaking my head. I couldn't possibly ask more of this woman, who just gave me a job. I'm still homeless, but I think I'll be okay now. It might take awhile to save up money to get a place to live but with a steady income, I'm sure I'll make it somehow. "Ally-"

"I mean no disrespect ma'am, but you've done so much for me already. I can't possibly ask that of you."

"You aren't asking me, I'm offering it to you." I started to shake my head again when the bell rung. I turned to see a beautiful young girl, probably in her teens, run up to Mo and gave her a kiss on the cheek. She had curly dirty blonde hair that was shoulder length. She wore the same outfit that I had on except she had on some pristine white tennis shoes. "Hello Chelsea"

"Hey Mo! Need help openin' the shop?" Chelsea asked Mo in a thick country accent before she noticed me standing awkwardly to the side. I wonder where I was and if everyone had accents around here. "Oh! Well, hello there! You must be new, the name's Chelsea if you didn't notice" She giggled, "and you are?"

"Ally" I mumbled. I couldn't help but be intimidated by her. She seemed very kind and genuine but was too pretty to be talking to someone like me. I almost had a heart attack when she jumped on me and gave me a hug.