Tommy's Troubles - Marisa Cooper (books like beach read TXT) 📗

Chapter Five

For a moment, I was stunned. Here I was, listening to a lunatic telling me that me that Mum was killed. Then a bunch of images erupted in my head. Mum's smile, her perfume, her beautiful face, her dark blue eyes, Mum wiping my mouth, Mum clasping my hand, Mum, Mum, Mum.
"You're lying!" I replied, surprising even myself. "You're lying!" I repeated, gaining strength with each word. I sat up, with success and got out of bed. The room swam before my eyes and I stepped backwards. "My Mum is alive!" I shouted. "You don't know her! You're crazy! Where is she?" I raced out of the room, ignoring the nurses' shouts and exclaims. I had just enough time to grab my bag, which was sitting next to my bed.
Within five minutes, I reached the front door. I pushed it open and blinked in the light that pounced on my eyes. I finally slowed down when I reached a dark alleyway that was ten blocks away. Then I stopped.

Chapter Six

I observed the alleyway. There wasn't a shadow of anyone, any sounds of breathing beside my own, or the sound of footsteps. I deemed it safe.
The alleyway was in between Olive Garden and Walmart. There were huge garbage cans filled with food and junk. The alley had a wall at one end and it was around twenty feet long and fifteen feet wide. It would have to do.
Next came the problem of food and clothes. I had to get them, but I had no money. It was agonizing to think that I was in an alley in between a restaurant and a store, unable to obtain either food or clothes. I would have to scavenge and steal to stay alive.
I began to look through the garbage can next to Walmart. Most people would shrink from poking in the garbage, but it was cold and I was hoping to find clothes and maybe even a blanket. I found two mismatched shoes, both too big, a plaid sweater, and a pink winter hat. I also found a box and put my possessions, before and after the car crash in there. I stood back and quickly checked to make sure my stuff was there. New clothes, old clothes, toothpaste, toothbrush, a comb, a picture of Mum, and some books. The box was then hidden behind the trash can for Olive Garden.
Now I needed to steal some money for food. I didn't want to steal anything, so I just went through the top layer of food. When I ate all the edible items, I slept, a restless sleep.

Chapter Seven

I slept until eight o'clock. I made my mind up that I'd work for Olive Garden. I got up, combed my hair, and brushed my teeth.
I marched into the waiting room. It was roomy, with a desk, several benches, Italian walls, and statues. The walls were a golden colour and there was a man of around eighteen years behind the desk.
"How many?" he asked in a Brooklyn accent.
"Actually," I mumbled. "I'd like to see the manager." He looked startled and froze.
"What did you say?" He stuttered.
"You heard me. I want to see the manager."
The host snorted angrily and beckoned me to follow. I did.
We passed tables piled up with food. My mouth watered and I literally drooled. There were pizzas of all kinds, spaghetti, meatballs, chicken tenders, and my favorite food, macaroni and cheese! All the tidbits from last night weren't enough to quiet the rumbling and now it intensified times ten.
The host led to a white door with the words 'Cast Only'. We went through.

Chapter Eight

The manager was overweight, bald, and sweaty. He was wearing a grey, cashmere business suit with a mustard silk tie.
"What do you want?" he snapped as he wiped the beads of sweat off his forehead. Several more beads appeared. "I'm a busy man and I don't have time for ruffians like you."
"Sir," I uttered defiantly, thrusting out my chin. "This will only take a few minutes."
"Then spit it out already."
I marched up to him, folded my arms, and looked into his fishy violet eyes.
"Can I work here as an errand-boy?" The question slipped right out of my mouth. I watched for the reactions from the adults. After a second, the younger started to shriek with laughter, while the elder still sat, thoughtfully thinking.
"Name?"
"Walter Smith, sir." I answered without blinking an eyelash.
"Age?
"Ten."
"Date of birth?"
"October 13th, 1996."
"Reason for this request of yours?"
"You see, sir, my family is very poor. We live in a house that shakes with every wind passing by. We have no money for food. That's because in my family, there is Mother, Father, my great-grandparents on my father's side, my great-grandparents on my mother's side, my five aunts, my six uncles, my eleven cousins, my seven siblings, my grand-parents on my dad's side, and my grandparents on my mom's side. That adds up to forty people in an one story house. I'm the oldest of the kids born to Mother and she wants to find a job." I babbled. I even managed a tear, whilst pretending it was for my fictional family, when it was really for Mum.
"You got it kid." the manager boomed out. "If it's something I can't stand, it's a family too big for comforts. Now let's settle the rules..."
The rules were set up ten minutes later. From now on, I had to get up at eight a.m., go to Olive Garden and see what I had to get, get them, and receive my meals around the proper times.
This became regular. Soon, I was waking up at eight a.m. on weekends when they open at ten-thirty. I got the food and spent the few dollars I got on clothes. I was not comfortable, but I was alive.


Four years later...

Chapter Nine

"Don't come back!" the red-faced chef yelled as I was being thrown out by two burly men. I had been fired because I had taken a loaf of hard bread. I was given my last meal of the day and was turned out of doors.
"Now I have to steal for money." I grumbled. I started to look around the street. Should I pickpocket the old lady in front of Kay's Jewelers? Nah, she could wack me with her purse. The man with the wallet dangling out of his jean pocket? Nope, too many kids around. Yes! I would pickpocket the coloured lady with raven-black hair in front of Smiley's Shakes with the blondie and the tough guy. Her purse was hanging on the back of her chair! I started to slink toward them....


Diana's View
"Ahhhhhh," I crooned. "This is the life. Hey Sally, how's your chocolate-mint?" I, Sally, and Mutt were at Smiley's Shakes, relaxing after a long day of college and work. I don't know about the others, but I was grateful for the chance to rest and chat away.
"It's delicious, Diana! Thanks!" Sally stated. She was what you would call a beauty queen. Most boys would throw themselves off a cliff for a hug or a pat from her. Sally looked simply radiant with her blond hair tumbling down, her blue eyes twinkling with laughter, and her milky-white petite form. "Mutt, are you okay?"
"Just great." Mutt groaned as