The shoe exchange

Bri

It has been the longest day. My shift at the diner ran long because two people called out. I wish I had that luxury, but I'm thankful for my job and the hours I get. I'll take them. I live almost two miles from my job at the diner and I can't really afford to pay for a taxi, so I walk. It wouldn't cost too much but I just can't risk it. It's almost one in the morning now and I'm so ready to be in the bed.

My one true love.

I walk up the rickety steps that lead to my small one bedroom apartment. The siding on this building is destroyed. The doors are rusted, some don't even lock. The air or heat doesn't work ninety percent of the time. It can be eighty degrees outside and the heat will work with no problem.

Never fails.

I can't complain much though, it's mine. Well, month to month anyways as long as I pay my rent. It's more then I've had sometimes throughout my life, so I've learned to be thankful for whatever I have.

I know it can all be taken away in the blink of an eye.

As soon as I walk in, I plop down on my sofa. It's small and worn out. I found it at a local thrift store for ten bucks. I was able to talk a couple of guys into delivering it for me, I offered them a free meal at the diner and they accepted.

Thankfully.

I don't really have what you would consider friends, just a lot of acquaintances. I've never had many people in my life to care about me, so you can't really miss what you've never had.

I'm fine on my own.

Or at least that's what I keep telling myself.

After changing into some comfy clothes for bed, I head to the kitchen and rummage for something quick to eat. A peanut butter sandwich will suffice. It's not like my fridge or cabinets are full anyway. Can't really be picky when there isn't much to choose from. It's more than I've had before though, so I feel lucky. I grab a glass and run the tap for a few so the water will get cold. When it's finally cold enough I fill my glass up.

I don't have television or a phone. Those are what I consider luxuries. I've got goals to meet, spending money on cable will never get me there and spending money on a phone with no one to talk to is just crazy. I eat quickly, so I can go to bed and get some much needed sleep. My bed isn't much but it's better than the floor. I found an air mattress at a yard sale about three months ago. It has a small hole in it but duct tape works just fine. For five dollars it was a steal. Plus, I could carry it myself.

I hate having to depend on other people, but some are nice and I get by with little to no help.

My shift at the diner starts at six in the morning then I'm going over to a neighbors house down the road to walk her dog. I try to find as many odd jobs as I can. I'm pretty lucky to have as many jobs as I do. I don't take any of them for granted but I do stay pretty tired, though.

As I lay down on my air mattress, I think about parts of my life that I try to forget the most. The quiet always brings unwanted thoughts. Nights like this is when the loneliness starts to creep in. Nights like this is when I wish I at least had a cat.

With thoughts of kittens in my head, I fall asleep.

The bright lights from my window wake me from my decent sleep. I haven't slept good in years, so I'm a very light sleeper. I have an old alarm clock set and sometimes I can get a radio station to come through on it so I can listen to music. But I turn it off twenty minutes before it's suppose to go off.

I go to the bathroom and shower, after I get out I just stare at my hair. Nope, I am not blowing drying this today. Not wanting to do much with my long blonde hair, I just put it into a high ponytail. Next, I get dressed and get my things together. I don't really have anything for breakfast here, so I'll eat at the diner.