Joanna

1

"I'm so sorry Jo...we just have too many people right now. I can't keep up with everyone's pay. I have to let you go."I was currently in the middle of being fired...or 'let go'

"Are you kidding me..?" I scoffed. "The diner isn't doing well Joanna." My boss told me sincerely.I shook my head looking away. "Here's you last check.." She gave me an envelope. "Please forgive me Jo. You've been one of my best workers, It's hard to even be telling you this.."

I sighed softly and shook my head "Ok."

I turned my back and walked out the manager's room door.I bit my lip holding back the tears that formed almost instantly. I walked past my ex-co workers "Jo?" Nathan, a friend I worked with stopped me. "What's up"

"Nothing."

"Really?"

I blew out a sigh shaking my head. "I got fired.."

"Shit. I'm sorr-" I really didn't need to hear 'I'm sorry' right now,

"I just need to go home right now.." I mumbled pushing past him. I went into the parking lot, getting into my car..I threw the check to the passenger seat. I bang my head on my wheel letting it out.

Tears poured as I sniffled, wiping my nose. I started heading home, home to my little overpriced apartment...I walked up to my door noticing my landlord standing at my door taking something to it. "Whats going on"

He turned to me in his ketchup stained tank top and beer belly. "Joanna! Oh uhm....well, I'm evicting you" he said simply.

"What?!" I shouted "look I have the money right here!!"I showed him my last check. He winced "here's the thing babydoll..You're a week late. Sooo I upped the rent by 150"

I gaped. "I-i don't have that kind of money right now.."

"Then find a new building to stay at.." he pouted fakely. "Unless."

He walked up to me, taking me by my waist. I felt his disgusting breath fan my neck due to me being taller than him.

"You pay me in another way"

"Get off of me" I shoved him off. "I'll be out!"

He scoffed and spat "I want you out by tonight" before leaving.. I opened my door slamming it shut.

I slide down the door. My face in my hands. A sob escaped my lips. I looked around at my stuff.

I ran a hand through my hair.. I'm such a fuck up.

I calmed myself. Then, checked the time 5:48pm...

So I started packing...my clothes, my items. I would have to leave my furniture here. I wouldn't have enough time to get fully moved.

I carried my blankets, sheets, and pillows to my car, once I finished packing what I needed which was hours later. It was now very late. I was very tired.

As I made my way down to the parking lot, it started to rain hard. "You've got to be kidding me..." I groan.
The rain caused me to run to my car opening it and shoving my things in unorganized. I was soaked by the time I had finished.

I was finally in my car with the heater on. I felt like complete shit.

Hopeless, miserable.

My waterworks started again as I started the car. I drove to a gas station. Filling up my tank and getting some dinner. I ate quietly in my car. What the hell am I supposed to do now. I'm 20, Jobless, and homeless.

-

I grabbed my phone looking through my short list of contacts. Nathan? Maybe I could crash at his?

No. He has enough problems as is.

I came up on my mother contact..

I pressed it holding the phone up to my ear. She answered almost immediately.

"Joanna? Hey baby" she croaked probably just waking up due to the call. "Hi momma"

"Awe baby. What's wrong? You don't sound too good" she whispered softly

I sighed biting my lip so I wouldn't go crying again. "I lost my job momma."

"Oh no-"

"And my apartment in the same day..."

"Oh dear. Where are you right now??" She sounded a little more awake.

"In my car. At a gas station."

"Do you have a place to stay??"

"No.." I mumbled taking a bite of the hotdog I bought. "Can you stay at a hotel? A motel?"

"Everything is too expensive."

"Baby. Come home. Stay as long as you need." She sighed. "Momma are you sure?"

"I'm insisting. I can't have you sleeping in you car! When is the soonest you can get here?"

My parents lived quite a longs ways away. 3 - 4 hours.

It was already very late...or early 3am.

"I could..drive there right now..?"

"Just as soon as you can honey.." she hummed softly. "Okay,"

"I'll leave the door open for you when ever you make it here."

"Okay momma. I'll let you sleep see you"

"See you my baby. Drive safe"

I hung up with a smile feeling a bit better.

I looked back to the store groaning.

I found myself walking out of the store taking two shots of 5 hour energy.

Then start my journey to my parents house.

I definitely almost fell asleep multiple times, but I finally pulled into my parents drive way. Greeted by the old house I grew up in. Jeez I haven't been here in a while.

The sun was starting to rise. I yawned getting out of the car taking a blanket. I opened the front door

I went to the Livingroom plopping on the couch. Once my blanket wrapped around me I was out.

~~~