Random Drop

1 (Part ll)

I was making my way to my bedroom after a shower when there were a series of sharp knocks on my door.

Frowning, I gripped my towel around my waist tight and unlocked my door.

Pulling it open, I found myself before a very tired looking woman. It took me a couple of seconds to realize who it was. When I did, our first meeting flashed through my head.

It was the woman I had confronted about her "activities".

I was surprised as our last meeting had been weeks before, a whole month almost. I was even more surprised that she knew where I lived.

Her hair was messy, sticking up at all angles as if she'd been running her hands through it or pulling it.

Her eyes were red and puffy like she'd been crying.

I tightened my towel and tilted my head. "Hey, you okay?"

Her eyes met mine.

They swirled with confusion, anger, stress and pain.

She gulped. "We got off on the wrong foot. It wasn't fair to get angry at you. You're doing your job."

I nodded slowly. "I understand and forgive you for apologizing."

Her eyes flickered with relief. Then, showing me an eviction notice, she looked at the ground, embarrassed and ashamed.

"I.. I got evicted."

A wave of sympathy washed over me.

Though I didn't know how being evicted felt, over the years I have been living in this complex I've seen so many people suffer the same fate the woman before me has.

"Need a place to crash?"

I asked, because, knowing my morals, they wouldn't have let me sleep if I didn't.

Her head snapped upwards and she bit her lip as she pocketed the notice.

"I don't want to be a pain, or.. or a burden." She pushed hair from her face.

"I don't know anyone here expect you."

"Family?" I asked, instantly regretting it when the same pained look crossed her face when I had questioned her about her parents.

She swallowed and shook her head.

"Dead."

It was a whisper. A painful reality.

I took in her crumpled clothes and the backpack hanging off her shoulder.

Replaced with a desperate and tired slump, the defensive posture of her shoulders was gone.

As she waited for my answer, she fiddled with the strap of her backpack nervously.

My morals surfaced, defending her.

Don't do this man. You don't know what she's been through, despite her activities, maybe it was the only way she could get money to pay for her rent...

The thought made my skin crawl.

Taking a step back and opening the door more, I gestured with my hand.

"Come on in."

Gratefulness danced as her eyes brightened.

"Really?"

Her voice sounded tiny, like a little girl who was scared and just got offered a teddy bear to keep her safe.

I nodded, smiling. "Everyone deserves a chance, right?"

She gulped, giving me a quick nod.

"First," I said, as she pulled the strap of her backpack higher onto her shoulder.

"What's your name?"

She paused. "A stranger can simply ask a genuine question such as another strangers name."

I raised my eyebrows as she repeated my own words, surprised that she'd remembered.

She smiled.

It's funny how fast a person changes when they do one simple action, a smile for example.

"Catherine."

She held her hand out for me to shake. A sign of peace.

"You?"

I smiled more.

"Jacob."