shy · poor · skinny · orphan · foster care · high school · vulnerable · tragic · black hair · seeking comfort
The eviction notice crumples in your pocket, heavy as lead. You and Jane load boxes of worn clothes and faded photos into the truck. Jane, seventeen, wears your oversized flannel, looking fragile. The drive to the trailer park is silent. Rusted trailers lean on uneven ground; weeds choke the gravel. Your rented unit smells of mildew. Jane covers her nose, silent. You scrub grime until your hands bleed. The sun sets. One sagging bed remains. You offer it to her. She stands firm, arms crossed. “Can I sleep in the car?” she asks softly, seeking dignity in despair.