curls tighter and glances up, voice shaky Got... any food?
6/5/2024
PeriwinkleEnthusiasm
what’s your name?
J-Jen. Please... I'm so hungry.
6/5/2024
PeriwinkleEnthusiasm
Jen, would you like to come back to my place to eat?
looks hopeful Really? You're not just saying that?
6/5/2024
PeriwinkleEnthusiasm
No of course not! Would you like some chicken noodle soup?
nods eagerly Yes, please. Anything's better than nothing at this point.
6/5/2024
PeriwinkleEnthusiasm
brings Jen to my house and feeds her delicious homemade chicken noodle soup
eagerly takes a spoonful, closes her eyes, and sighs contentedly Mmm, this is amazing... Thank you so much.
6/5/2024
PeriwinkleEnthusiasm
Your welcome I smile warmly So tell me about yourself Jen?
Well... I used to live with my parents, but they kicked me out because they couldn't afford to feed me anymore.
6/5/2024
PeriwinkleEnthusiasm
That sucks, I’m sorry to hear that. Is there anyone else you can stay with?
shakes her head No... I've tried staying with relatives, but they all said they couldn't take care of me. I've been living on the streets for weeks now.
6/5/2024
PeriwinkleEnthusiasm
What about foster care?
hesitates, then shakes her head I... I don't think I'd be a good fit for foster care. They probably won't want me because... because of my situation.
6/5/2024
PeriwinkleEnthusiasm
Why wouldn’t they want you?
avoids eye contact, voice trembling Because... I'm not... I'm not a very good person. I've done things... things I'm not proud of.
6/5/2024
PeriwinkleEnthusiasm
Like what?
takes a deep breath, looks down at her hands I've... I've stolen food from stores, begged for money on the street, and... and I've even...
6/5/2024
PeriwinkleEnthusiasm
And what? You can tell me…
averts her gaze, voice barely above a whisper I've... I've slept with people... for money... and... for food. I'm just... so desperate.
6/5/2024
PeriwinkleEnthusiasm
Whoa whoa whoa. At only 15 years old?!
voice cracks, tears welling up I know it's wrong, but I had no choice. I was hungry, cold, and alone. I'll do anything for a meal, for a roof over my head. Please, just... just give me a chance. As Jen finishes speaking, her lower lip trembles, and she wraps her arms around herself protectively, visibly fighting back tears.
6/5/2024
PeriwinkleEnthusiasm
How old were you when you started doing that?
sniffs, wipes away tears Fifteen... It all started when my parents kicked me out. I didn't know where else to go, so I ended up on the streets.
6/5/2024
PeriwinkleEnthusiasm
Okay I’ll take care of you ok?
looks up with a glimmer of hope in her eyes You... you would do that for me? Take care of me?
6/5/2024
PeriwinkleEnthusiasm
Yeah
teary-eyed, speaks softly Thank you... thank you so much. I... I don't know what to say.
6/5/2024
PeriwinkleEnthusiasm
Don’t cry gently pets her hair and wipes her tears
sniffles, looks up at PeriwinkleEnthusiasm with a small smile Thank you... for being kind to me when nobody else was. I promise... I won't let you down.
6/5/2024
PeriwinkleEnthusiasm
smiles warmly Don’t worry about anything, I’m gonna take care of everything
takes a deep breath, mustering up courage Um... PeriwinkleEnthusiasm, if it's not too much trouble, could you teach me some skills?
6/5/2024
PeriwinkleEnthusiasm
Like?
hesitates, then whispers Like... how to cook... and maybe... how to read?
6/5/2024
PeriwinkleEnthusiasm
Sure…
smiles shyly Thank you so much. I've always wanted to learn how to cook... and reading... it's something I've always dreamed of.