A Little Rain Must Fall - Part 1

by Elle

You may have noticed that there seems to be so many more homeless people these days selling local publications on street corners. I am not aware of the statistics -- it may just be we are all just more out in the open and visible now. But yes I am one of those statistics. On a decent day I may bring in 200 dollars. That is in large part 'cos I am a 15 year runaway and I seem to get a lot more sympathy than the grizzled old drunks and toothless women. But after some of the regular traffic get to know you the money dries up a bit. I could move around more -- and I do when I can. But I must walk wherever I go. Old guys will give me the most. Some are just kind sweet old grand dads. I depend on them. But there are far more pervs that want to buy sex from me. I don't want their contingent money. Technically I am a virgin and plan to stay that way. I could probably cash in on my looks. When people see my face up close they are always telling me how pretty I am.

Usually I wear frumpy clothes -- mainly 'cos that's all I have. But I do not want to draw the attention of pervs or police. If cops spot a child begging they will haul you in for questioning. So I try to appear to be older than I am.

The typical runaway girl, so I imagine, has been abused or gotten caught up in drugs or even left home with a rebellious boy. None of those fit me. My parents died in a car accident 18 months ago. My Dad had fallen asleep at the wheel, the police report had surmised, and run head on in to a teenage boy driving his mother's Kia. My Mom and Dad and the other driver were all declared dead on the scene. The meager insurance my folks had did not cover all the liability. The other driver's parents ended up with most of our family's few assets in a settlement. I had no other family in this country. I was going to be sent to Luxembourg to live with an Uncle and his wife on my father's side. He was the closest living relative. I was horrified. Having never met him made me paranoid, anxious and distrustful.

While arrangements were being made the Dept. of Children's Service found me a foster family. The Millers, it appeared, took in temporary foster kids for their sole income. The food was lousy, the house was old and smelly and mostly the 5 other foster kids in the house were psycho it appeared. After I spent a few days there I ran away. I would rather be on my own. I feel very capable in spite of my options. I am sensitive, introspective and have been hiding my sexuality since I was 12. The first boy, for example, that tried to kiss me just really disgusted me. From then on I turned inward and became the 'bookworm nerd' Which has served me well to this day.

Yesterday it was cold and rainy. I had stationed myself outside the exit of a Super Wal-Mart to start my 'job' for the day. No one was willing to roll down their window to even offer a dollar. I wanted to cry. It was so depressing. As if from heaven I see a Light Blue BMW SUV stop and a pleasant lady reaches over and opens the passenger side door. and yells.

"Hop in"

Without a tinge of fear I jumped into her sumptuous car and slammed the door shut.

"Something just made me stop" she said "I couldn't have driven home remembering you so forlorn and alone in the rain"

"Thank you so much. It is so kind of you to give me a ride"

"Where do you live?" she asks

"Uh, nowhere and anywhere" I offer with a smile.

Her look was so incredibly moving. She actually put her hand on my leg and pressed her lips together and got choked up.

"How old are you?" she asks

I go on to tell her all the events and details that brought me to that place and time. It certainly seemed providential to us both that we met. She introduced herself as Karen Hollister. I tell her my name is Jane. She invites me to stay over at her house for the night, contingent on doing an online background check on me as she has two young adopted daughters living with her. I tell her I have nothing to hide. But if she calls the authorities I will run away again...

"You're safe now" Karen assures me.

The missing children's data on me is easy for her to find. The details of my parents demise is also accessible to her on her cell phone web browser.

"Jane I am an attorney. I can help you find a home." "My deceased wife and I had already adopted two little girls years ago. After a probationary period I bet they would love a big sister"

I began to sob...The fact that she was wealthy and a lawyer was perfect. But that she was gay made this all seem heaven sent...

...to be continued...