Angel's Hope

The past scampers out of view. Like the paw prints of a cat running to the bush. The wheel of time follows no straight line. As we sometimes trace back over the lines. In the recesses of our minds. The morning sun comes into the loft. As nighttime magic mingles with the morning dew. The cats come to the open window from the alley. They always come because they know she will feed them. As the girl comes to life where she slept on the foldout couch. Lizzy was still sitting with her sketch pad by the open window. She was just about done sketching the sleeping girl. When Abby asks, what are you doing over there? Lizzy says I was just sketching you as you sleep. I hope you don't mind. Just something I do at times. Sure, thanks for letting me crash for the night. Do you think I can see your sketch of me? You make me prettier than I really am. Thanks for that. Lizzy replies, I only sketch what I see. Do you ever sketch people to make money? Sometimes I do, mostly I'm a waitress. Better than being a hooker or some such. Lizzy gives her a sideways glance as she got up. Do you want some breakfast? I'm starving. Abby says I don't want to be a freeloader. I just wanted some spare change to feed my growing baby belly. Lizzy replies, I didn't ask about freeloading. I ask if you were hungry. Abby says I've heard things about you out on the streets. Lizzy asks, what kinds of things? As she's cooking eggs, toast, and oatmeal. That you used to live on the streets yourself, and, you like to help others. Kinda like a social worker. Some people even say you're a witch. Abby is looking at all the sketches in picture frames hanging on Lizzy's walls. Gnomes, angels, fairies, unicorns, goblins, and city-scapes from another world. Lizzy replied a witch is a new one on me. As she snickers and ask: What do you think? Abby just rolls her eyes with a big grin on her face. I just try to pay it forward Lizzy replays. It feels a little like magic. Just like everyone should be doing, I'm sure you will do it someday. Lizzy says, come sit and feed your hungry baby. Abby says I don't have nothing, how can I pay it forward? I told you last night how this baby came about with my brother and all. And my mother beat me saying it was my fault for being a girl. Lizzy says, yes, I know you told me all that last night, I know someone who would like to meet you, though. Finish up, I'm taking you downtown next to swan park. Her name is Angel, she can explain everything to you then. Lizzy sat there sketching, making up stories about the people walking by. Abby's due date was in two weeks, so time just flew by fast. Angel and her contacts found Abby a place two blocks from Lizzy. Two weeks later Abby brought Elizabeth- Sophia home, Lizzy was beautiful. They went home from the hospital to their own place. Abby thought baby Lizzy was a sort of magic she created for herself. Abby went to Lizzy one morning and said she didn't feel like a good mother. She couldn't feel the magic, she just wanted to get away from the baby. She wanted to get away from everything or she was going to hit somebody. And she didn't want it to be little Lizzy like her mother did to her. Lizzy told Abby she could stay with her a day or two if she wanted to, Abby said thank you. Lizzy had to work at the dinner that day. Lizzy came home a little late that evening. Abby was not there. Though baby Lizzy was with a note pinned to her. " I'm sorry Lizzy, I'm just not strong like you, Angel, and, Sophie are." Teach little Lizzy all the magic and love I know is inside you. I know she will be loved!!! Abby Lizzy sat there on her bed looking at little Lizzy wondering what happened. The phone rang with Angel on the other end, saying they found Abby. In the alleyway a few blocks from her clinic, The baby was not there. The paramedics tried to save her but it was too late. 2/ 20/ 2015 Friday 3 pm Reading a book called The Onion Girl