Facade Read Free

the walls. The manager of the gym hated her.
    “What is it with your type? People pay good money to come and work out here. This isn’t a rest stop for the desperate and homeless.” The manager came forward.
    “I’m not homeless.” Christine sidestepped toward her locker.
    “Do you have a home?” The woman put her hands on her hips.
    “A home is a state of mind. I get by.” With no doubt how this would end, she gathered up her backpack and the other scant few belongings she kept in there.
    “Well missy, you are going to have to get by somewhere else.” The manager pointed to the exit.
    Too many times she asked this woman for a job. She wouldn’t lower herself again. “I always do.” She grabbed her items and her lock and held her head high. If nothing else, she always made sure to earn her keep. She walked out, glancing at her friend on the way.
    “Sorry girl.” The woman rolled her eyes.
    Christine waved and headed back out on the street. The sky had turned even more ominous with a bit of mist in the air. This was not what she needed. Still, she had to continue, check her messages, get something to eat, and make a plan for later.
    She headed for her favorite stop of the day, a small copy and postal shop.
    “There you are.” Helen, the elderly woman who owned the shop, held out her arms.
    In less than an instant, Christine rushed to her and gave her a hug. “What can I do for you today?”
    “I have some paper that needs to be stacked.” Helen held her at arms’ length, then pulled her behind the counter. “But first, you have some mail and messages and you have to eat.” The woman pushed her down into a chair and thrust a plate of knish at her.
    “My favorite.” Yes, she devoured the food. Helen was an amazing cook and never forgot her.
    “Here.” Helen put a stack of papers in front of her. “That Ramon called. I know you’re going to make it big once the world hears you sing.”
    Before reading the note, she looked at her few pieces of junk mail. Simply seeing her name on official correspondence, made her feel real. Even though at the moment she didn’t need a coupon for the local bar and grill or a discount to solar panel her home, she still appreciated the sentiment. Hell, at least she didn’t have any bills.
    Finally, she glanced at the message from Ramon reminding her of practice the next day and asking if she wanted to meet up later. Though she never specifically told him or anyone of the group she didn’t have a permanent place to stay, she had a feeling he suspected by the way he always managed to pay for her food paid when he was around, and asked more than once if she wanted to crash at his place. She just didn’t want to go there and tossed the note along with the rest of her mail in the trash.
    “Let me get to work.” She gave Helen a kiss on the cheek, went to the back, and stacked up the reams of paper as the first crash of thunder rumbled the building.
    The rain followed shortly after, and Christine shook her head. Rainy nights were the worst and her chest tightened. She finished her job and joined Helen at the front. “Would you mind if I used the phone?”
    “Anything, honey.” Helen motioned toward her phone.
    She retrieved her journal out of her backpack and flipped through a few phone numbers. Many of her connections had moved on, gotten married, or simply outgrew the days of having someone show up and spend the night. She dialed the phone to three friends and got nothing but voicemails, then glanced between the rain pouring outside and the trashcan. Maybe she should give in and call Ramon.
    “Are you all right, honey?” Helen came over.
    On automatic, she nodded. If she called Ramon she would not only be acknowledging how she lived, but also knew what he would expect. A night in the rain was better than giving in to that, and she stood. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Thank you so much for everything.” She leaned in and gave Helen a hug.
    “Take this, I made too