Thanks, Mom

As she sat alone on the bench in the round-about in front of her favorite store in the mall she wondered where time had spent its days. Was time on vacation? Time didn't seem as though it was aware that the world was still turning. Life had not been friendly and she realized how lonely she was. She had many friends and acquaintances, but here she was in the mall all alone once again. She ate lunch alone, shopped alone, went to the movies alone. She was certain that people knew she had the weekends off from her job but nobody every invited her to go anywhere or do anything. She felt like she was begging when she would call a friend and ask what they were doing for the weekend. Everyone was always telling her that she was so likable so why would they exclude her? 

From the time she was a young girl, she knew she was the independent type but that didn't mean that she didn't need companionship or friendship. There were several moments in her life that she had one or two friends that she would see every day or at least nearly every day. Then, like this time in her life, she didn't have anyone that seemed interested in spending time with her. As she sat there on that bench alone she felt tears water up in her eyes and she shook them off.  "No." she thought. I'm not going to cry. Not here. 

As she walked to the bus stop, she felt bored with her life, even desperate. There has to be more to life and she was going to find it. As she sat on yet another bench waiting for the bus she watched the people park their cars, get out of their cars, lock the doors, and walk together talking and laughing as they made their way to the mall doors. Again, that feeling of emptiness appeared. "I have nobody to talk to or laugh with," she said  out loud but only loud enough for herself to hear. She checked her phone to see if anyone had texted her but as usual there was nothing to read. The bus would arrive soon and an elderly lady sat down to wait for the same bus. The lady nodded her head and smiled. 

The bus finally arrived and she paid her two dollars and sat in the front seat. The air conditioning felt so good compared to the heat outside. She was suddenly tired and felt as though she could fall asleep at that very moment. A few more people boarded the bus and soon after the bus pulled away and started down the road. She was in a daze as she looked out of the window. Each time someone pulled the cord she heard the automated message on the bus saying "Stop requested." The bus was finally nearing her stop and she pulled the cord. The bus stopped and she gathered her handbag and unboarded the bus. She felt a little relieved that she was soon going to be in her own safe and comfy home. As she was crossing the road careful to watch for the break in traffic she thought about her mom. That brought an instant smile to her face and she decided to call her mom when she got home. 

She walked down the sidewalk toward her apartment building, crossed the middle parking lot where the mail boxes were located. She checked her mail and pulled out the electric bill, a few store flyers and an envelope addressed to her from her mom. She knew what it was. Her mom would often cut out coupons from the Sunday paper and send them in the mail to her along with a short note of encouragement. 

She walked down the outside hallway to her apartment, unlocked the door, took off her shoes and picked up the phone. She dialed her mother's number and began to talk to the best friend she ever had. "Thanks, Mom," she said.