Because It Is

She crept along the dark street, trying to hide in the shadows. The cold was biting and the wind was brisk. She fought hard to keep her jacket closed. She hit a familiar corner, sniffed a familiar shelf. She knew she was where she was summoned.

“You’re here,” said a voice rough and irritable.

“Yes,” she replied almost silently, “as I said I would be.”

“You know what to do.”

The man was unusually heavy and dressed for the weather. His eyes gleamed as he watched the girl take off her jacket and get on her knees. He used her to block his only exposed limb from the cold. He’d slap her when she responded to the cold. The girl worked hard to keep her unclad body form shivering.

When the man had reached his point he shoved her away, zipped up his pants, reached in his pocket, and dropped his payment. The girls eyes filled with tears as she watched the coins drop to the ground and the man walked away.

The rent was due and she was cold. There was no way to be sure the entire payment was there. And she was sure it wasn’t. She refused to cry, she felt she was too strong.

She slinked back into the shadows and walked with her head hung low.

There has to be a better way.