Aubrey

Aubrey enters and stands in the doorway, staring at you… staring at you like no one ever did; with compassion.

You feel sadness rising in you. The look in her eyes causes the walls inside you to melt. Your accumulated sadness overcomes you and hits you like a train. You avert your eyes from her and start to cry; hiding your head in your hands.

Aubrey walks to you and pulls you in a warm and protective hug. You cry on her shoulder as she slowly strokes your hair.

“Hey, hey, shhh, I know it looks bad for you right now. But you...*sigh* you can’t give up. You are my first client, and I won’t allow you to give up. I’ll help you with everything I can, but I can’t solve your problems for you. Therefore, I am here to be by your side and provide you with opportunities. It’s up to you if you still have hope after everything that happened and take the opportunities. *sigh* I know that this little speech won’t help now but I hope that my words help you in the future.”

Aubrey sighs after her last word and strokes your hair before she adds reassuringly, “I talked about opportunities, and here is what I got: I pulled some strings and got you two jobs. I know that sounds like it is too much, but I think it can work. The first job is for the local newspaper. You’ll be a paperboy and must deliver the newspaper by bicycle before school. It shouldn’t take you too long. And before I give you more details, I want to tell you about the second job. It’s a part-time job at John’s. You work there on the weekends as a waiter. One shift is about six hours, I guess.”

My crying fades into sobbing. “You…you got me two jobs? Thanks. Thanks a lot… but, do I need to do job interviews for them?”

You see a little spark of hope; with an income you can buy something to eat and afford a small place. You completely forget that you don’t own a bicycle, have no clothes to wear and no real place to live yet.

“Ohhh, good point but you don’t have to do job interviews. As I said, I pulled some strings. And, before I forget about it: I have… I mean you now have access to your social money. It’s not much but I guess it works for today when we are going to shop for some clothes. There is one more thing; I… err… figured you might not want to stay here as it might not feel safe anymore. So, I hereby offer you my home till you get an alternative.”

You free yourself from her embrace. You look at her with a stunned expression. “Why? Why do you care so much? It feels odd. I would appreciate it if I could crash at your place, though. I promise to help with the housework.”

“Thank you! Thank you so much!”, you look at her and feel the words coming from deep inside you.

“It’s settled then.” Aubrey stands up and walks towards the door, turning around as she reaches it. “I tell the staff that you are moving out; just pack your stuff and meet me at the entrance.”

Her eyes widen as she realized what she said. “Erm… yeah, I noticed. The wording was unfavorable. I’ll be more careful next time. I promise. Soooo, I guess you can come with me now.”

With that said, you are moving out the second time this week.