A Home From Nothing

Chapter 2

Focusing back on the present, I find my headphones and plug them in before double checking the terminal for security or cops. I have a 12 hour bus ride and 3 layovers to get through before I can rest. Chicago wasn’t my first choice of places to go when I left home. But it seemed like the last place my parents would consider looking while also being big enough and sketchy enough for me to find work. I only have $632.54 left after the bus ticket and snacks. So first opportunity for work I’m taking it.

The bus pulls into the Chicago station at 10:34 am. My head bangs against the glass with a dull thud a few times as the bus passes over the speed bumps before the gates and I work on waking myself up. I got lucky that I didn’t get sleepy until after the last layover. Still, a 3 hour nap on a cold glass window does not make for good rest. I stay seated, letting everyone get off the bus before I take a step into the aisle. I’m halfway to the front of the bus when a security officer steps onto the bus with his flashlight held up, looking around the seats. My heart skips a beat then begins to race as he makes his way toward me, he seems to be looking for something, or someone. For me, maybe? Oohh no. I look around for anything to spark an idea to get me out of this but nothing comes. So instead, I just sit back down, frozen in fear. The guard shines the light in my face as he passes, then under the seats, then comes back up.

“Just looking for anything left on the bus, you would be surprised how many people leave things tucked in a corner.” the guard said conversationally, looking back at me on his way back to the front.

“Makes sense,” I murmur before following him down the steps. I look up into a greying sky and take in a deep breath.

Smells like glue. Eeww.

I make my way out of the station and as I walk down the street, I take a moment to fully appreciate where I am and how I got here. I wonder at the tall buildings and the people fighting in and out of different doors to to get to who knows where. I start walking, no idea where I’ll end up, just needing to keep moving. This is the longest I’ve been gone. Normally I’m back by morning, never being gone too long in case that makes them angry too. Not this time. No, this time I won’t go back. Ever.

Hurrying across the street, half willing, half being dragged by other pedestrians, I make my way towards the city center, hoping to find work along the way. As I’m about to cross over a particularly crowded street, a young woman runs around the corner. She looks frightened as she runs down the alleyway, heading straight for me. I jump back in shock, stumble and land straight onto my tailbone, legs spread. Just as I get my head back to reality a man comes from the same direction, seemingly out of thin air, trips on my foot and smashes face first into the pavement. The young woman, having slowed when I fell, looks back just as the guy starts rolling to the side. Blood drips from the scratches to his cheek but freely flows from his nostrils. The woman walks back, kicks him in the stomach, then the face, the jewels and then back to the face before turning around and offering me a hand up. I accept it with a confused look on my face.

“Big brutes like him think ‘no’ means try harder. I’m Amy.” She flashes a smile that almost reaches her eyes.

“Oph…. Lia. Call me Lia.” I said smiling back at her. Not sure what else to do, I continue on my path but it seems Amy has other plans. Falling in step next to me and chattering like we were best friends.

“How long have you been here? I moved here when I was 6. Mom met a man that worked here after my dad died and decided we needed a fresh start, that was 12 years ago. Where are you staying? Ooh there’s a cafè up the street here, they have the best pie. We should stop and get some. What do you say? It’s the least I can do after you helped me with that waste of a science experiment. My treat.” Amy looks at me hopefully.

“I just got off the bus an hour ago actually. I don’t really know what I’m doing, but I suppose pie could be a good place to start.” I give her a small smile and we continue up the block until she points out a big yellow sign, “Jerry’s Cafe” written in blue letters.

Two large windows make up most of the storefront with the door nestled between them, the trim a deep brown. From where we are I can see a few booths inside and some wire tables and chairs outside. Though there’s no awning, it seems the building itself is in just the right spot to make sure there’s plenty of shade in the later part of the day. We walk up to the door and the bell jingles as we push our way in. The counter along the right side of the room separates the dining area from the kitchen, stools set up a couple feet apart from each other. It has an old 50’s type feel. The old red leather seats, chrome and tons of vintage photos hanging about the walls. We find a booth unoccupied at the back.