A small strip of dirty white paper slapped up against my ankle. The wind held it there long enough for me to retrieve it. Standing, I smoothed out the crinkles and rubbed the dirt away. It was a faded register receipt from a grocery store. Everything means something, that much I'd learned. The date at the top read March 29th. What a day! Only two weeks ago, but it felt like a lifetime. Did I do the right thing? I wondered again for the billionth time. I held the receipt closer, invading the privacy of someone's buying habits. You could tell a lot about a person by the contents of their grocery cart. ...UNCL BENS RICE - 28 oz - 1.19 ...UNCL BENS RICE - 28 oz - 1.19 ...UNCL BENS RICE - 28 oz - 1.19 ...UNCL BENS RICE - 28 oz - 1.19 That was enough rice for a family of ten for six months! Or...enough to throw at a wedding. It wouldn't be mine. Not now. Did I do the right thing? ...FRNCH MUSTRD - 8 oz - 1.32 The first time I had met him was at the company picnic. He offered me a hot dog. Worried what he'd think, I only had one. ...ENT FF CRNCH CK 3.97 Entamanns! My mouth watered. I knew the FF meant fat free. I had put on a few pounds, but was 23 pounds of voluptuousness really so bad? Did I do the right...? ...SLEEPY TM TEA - 24CT - 2.59 No problems sleeping here. I managed an average of twelve hours a day. ...FOLGERS - 13 oz - 3.29 Maybe he just drank too much coffee. It's an irritant and I knew that. Did I do...? ...TV GUIDE 1.50 Ours came in the mail. Sometimes accompanied by a doctor's bill...or two. ...ICE - 10lb - .98 Good for swollen cheeks. I probably deserved it. ...GENRC FURN POL - 12.5 oz - 1.15 Big mistake! Generic always leaves a dull finish. Never do that to a sensitive man. Unless there's plenty of ice. Suddenly, I felt a gentle touch on my shoulder. I flinched. Turning, I saw Betty, a woman I hardly knew. "Hi Georgia, it's so good to see you! How have you been?" "Fine," I said. I lied. "Well, I'll see you inside. Ok?" I watched as she entered through a glass door. "Ok," I mumbled, but she was already gone. I examined the bold, black letters painted on the glass...
BATTERED WOMAN'S SHELTER
MEETINGS,
MON. - FRI. NOON
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
I opened the door and let the wind resume its course with the little white paper. As it flew from my hand, I read the last line on the receipt...
...HAVE A GOOD DAY...
I smiled. Everything means something. That much I'd learned.
the end
* * * * *
If you are a battered woman, get out before it's too late. You deserve a happy, safe, healthy life.
* * * * *
Counselling: (604) 687-1867, TTY: (604) 687-6732
Business: (604) 687-1868, Fax: (604) 687-1864
Co-ordination Committee: (604) 687-1866
* * * * *
24 Hour Crisis Line (English and Spanish)
1-800-572-2782
OFFICE: 650-940-7850
TDD: 650-940-7857
FAX: 650-940-1037
444 Castro Street, Suite 305
Mountain View, CA 94041
www.snbw.org / email to snbw@snbw.org
* * * * *
The National Domestic
Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
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