Lucky encounter

Lucy pulled on the oversized blue cardigan, her small frame making it necessary to roll the sleeves up so her hands could peek out.  Another moth hole was opening on the front but Lucy decided she’d mend it later.  She wanted to be one of the first people in the lunch lineup. 

Living three blocks from the Centre meant she got a full meal on weekdays. Her single room took all of the monthly housing allowance and most of her assistance.  There was no way she could afford food too.  But this room was worth the hunger. No more roaches or bed bugs. Her open sores were beginning to heal, and she’d been sleeping through the night too. Maybe my luck is changing.

Charlie was already on line when she arrived. Last Thursday, he hadn’t seen her. He’d been too busy combing his hair.  But Lucy recognized Charlie. The evening he’d chosen her, months ago now, he’d combed his hair the same way, checking in the rearview mirror to make sure the part was right.  He’d waited for Lucy to tuck the twenty bucks away in her handbag before unzipping his fly. She’d thought of Charlie’s kind gesture and his neat silver blonde hair many times since that night.

Lucy moved into the lineup and at the soup kettle found herself standing right beside him.  Their arms touched as they both reached for a Portuguese roll from the counter. Charlie turned to apologize, but when he saw Lucy his voice couldn’t escape his throat.  Lucy smiled generously and asked if he’d like to sit with her in the chairs over by the window.  Charlie nodded his positive response and picking up his food tray, he followed Lucy and his lost-now-found blue sweater over to the vacant table.

297 words
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This story is my entry for the "Forbidden Love" Blog Hop being ably sponsored by Ruth Long @bullishink , Lillie McFerrin  @LillieMcFerrin and by Janelle (Me and Mia blog).   Details can be found on Ruth's blog at : http://goo.gl/sG4eX