Morning all. Getting a little late start because we had the HVAC man inspect everything for the winter this morning. Gotta love that still under warranty check up. So now that all is working as it should, let’s get on with the day. Timers at the ready and off we go…
I’ve sort of toyed with this idea before. I have a story in the back of my mind that has a person walking out of their life because they were taken advantage of and building a new life, then being found by the people they left. I haven’t quite decided on the details, but different options do pop up from time to time as the story simmers in the back of my brain. Eventually I will write the story.
Monday, November 13th: She slipped out under the cover of darkness.
She slipped out under the cover of darkness. She knew her only chance was to be gone long before anyone noticed she was missing. Anything she might have that she could claim sentimental attachment to was long gone. She had the bank account and had always kept that information away from the house. She long since memorized the numbers for the account and hid any paperwork well away from the house.
While most of her pay went to the house, she let them believe that her pay had not changed since she first got her job. They knew of that bank account because she told them her pay was direct deposit. It was a cover account now with only a small portion of her pay going there, the rest into the account they didn’t know about.
She was done. Carley was finished being the one to support the family. There was no reason any of the others couldn’t work. They just chose not to. She was tired of letting her family mooch off her. She had a mother, step-father and two step brothers and three step sisters. One if not all of them could get a job. All were of legal age and were healthy and strong. They had no debilitating illness and nothing preventing them from employment.
She took a part time job while in school to save up for the possibility of college but mostly to pay for things she wanted. It was quickly determined that her pay would go towards household expenses. While none of the steps worked, her mother had just been laid off. In theory Carley knew the income was needed, but she didn’t understand why no one else had to contribute. She also wasn’t happy when her mother decided not to look for a replacement job right away.
Then Carley graduated and went to work full time. About that time he step-father decided he wasn’t happy with his job and quit to look for a better one. Carley became the sole breadwinner of the house and so it remained.
But now, things were different. She was no longer the low paid clerk. She took advantage of the company training program and worked her way up the ranks. She Took night classes when she could, slowly getting the degree needed for advancement. And now a job came open. It was in a different city and she would need to transfer. Carley would be provided a place to live for the first six months while she looked for a place of her own. All she needed to do was get there.
Carley smiled as she adjusted the backpack. It contained her work clothing and a few other changes of clothing. She walked to the bus station. It was not a terribly long walk and it was one she was used to. There had never been funds for a car, at least not for her. Each of her parents had one and the steps all took turns using them, but for Carley the bus was considered enough. Luckily they ran at all hours and the one out of town was leaving in the wee hours of the morning. She would be out of town well before anyone noticed she was gone.
Carley reached the station and made sure everything was as it should be. She didn’t have much time to wait, but for that brief time, she felt jittery and unable to settle. She knew know one was coming after her, not yet. None of the bills were in her name, even if she was the one to pay them. When they weren’t paid this month, the others would start looking for her. Of that she had no doubt. The bus pulled up and Carley showed her ticket, climbing aboard and taking her seat. As the bus got into motion, her nerves began to fade and her excitement to build.
Ten til Midnight 