Diary Of A Homeless Woman part # 2

Tasha put in her eight hour day and prayed for overtime. Anything that could generate a little more cash or at the least house her from the cold. Damp, dark and cold is what Tasha had to look forward to. The gas in the car was pushing E which limited her ability to ride around until she felt bored enough to fall asleep, it also interfered with her abilty to run the heat after she found a place to park. Each day is a learning experience for her and she seems to be weathering the storm well.

Dear Diary, I am so glad that I woke up on time this morning, my cell phone died and I just knew that I would over-sleep. My cell phone is the closest thing that I have to an alarm clock and I don't even have a car charger; (mental note) be sure to price car charger for phone. No time to run to the mall, so I will go into my survivor mode. I always like to keep baby wipes or adult wash clothes in the trunk of my car along with other toilettries. One never knows when an emergency comes up and preparation helps to keep me ahead of the game. A lot of the city have not started their day and the streets are quiet. If I lean the seats all the way back I can do a quick change and prep before the streets start to get busy. Fortunately the place where I park my car allows for a little privacy, and before things start to get busy I'll be gone and no one will know that I was here but me.

It's time for me to paint that smile on my face that people are use to seeing me display. I always loved making people smile; and if I walk in the door without my normal greetings and smiles for all to see they will think that something is wrong. So let's get started.....good morning, toodles, hello. Hi Tasha you're early aren't you, no need to start breaking good habits besides I am always early; it gives me time to get my coffee on. Is Lusha here yet ?(Lusha is our manager and a real pain in the butt), no she's running late. Good I would like to start my day without someone growling at me...

The day started off to be really good and for the most part ninety percent of my customers were quite pleasant. There are customers who come to this store and are more than willing to stand in a long line just to have me wait on them. I'm fast, organized and polite and I really love it when I have a customer with an attitude; surely you do catch more flys with sugar as opposed to vinegar. I have a way of allowing them to feel as superior as they think they are without them knowing that I am being patrinizing (some of them are so pompos). I try to make it a point of having some interesting tidbits of information to share with my customers, I love to look into the comic section of the newspapers to find something funny to share. Some of my clients like getting in my line just to see what new piece of art work that I have made and displayed at my register. I find it interesting how I create these characters using plastic bags because of boredom and give them away to kids; not knowing that people would actually call it art and pay me for them.

The day is going faster than I wanted and it is really getting cold outside. If I am lucky I can take one of my co-workers home and maybe hang out at their house for a while, maybe I'll luck up and catch a nap. It's funny as I watch the people come and go as they prepare for their journey home. They talk and fuss about so many things that I once thought was important. Some people's views of others situations are so judgemental without room for reason. I do remember those days when I too were as unyeilding as some. The only thing constant is time, bringing change with it every step of the way.

The day is finally done and although I wish it had stretched out a little longer, this old body needs some rest. I was able to take a few co-workers home which worked in my favor, I really do need the gas. It's cold and getting darker earilier. There is a damp chill in the air, it smells like rain. Rainy days are always good because no one cares about anything other than getting out of it. They won't pay any attention to my engine running while I'm heating up for the night.

Finally, I have found that parking space that I will be calling home tonight. Thank God no one is parked there. The trees on the sidewalk needs pruning which works for me. They hang so low that they block the pathway as well as hanging so politely over my car. The cold rain is now coming down which will not only fog up my windows but partially block my appearance inside the car. A tall glass of beer is all I need to put me to sleep and I was sure to get that before I parked. This night seems extra lonely, I think that I am missing my daughter and grandson more than I want to. One good thing is that they no longer have to sleep in the car with me, but that too is another story.....to be continued