Page 6 of Saint

Today was going to be a good day.

I wasn’t going to be criticized about my weight.

I wasn’t going to be put down for having my hair up and not down.

I wasn’t going to have my makeup critiqued.

I wasn’t going to be criticized for having the good ranch dressing on my salads and not the fat-free tastes like something that someone... well... you get the picture.

I wasn’t going to be criticized for the amount of sweat I was going to be shedding when I cleaned.

Turning in my seat, I looked at Soraya and said, “Life is what we make it. Right?”

I knew she didn’t comprehend what I was saying, but bless my little girl’s heart, she tried. For me.

She nodded, then said, “Long as I have you, Monnie.”

I grinned, then turned back in my seat, took in a big breath, and then I climbed out of the car.

After I got Soraya out and our three bags that the rat bastard allowed us to take, we headed up the cracked driveway and to the rickety front porch steps.

The landlord said that the key would be underneath a flowerpot.

Seeing it, I set one of the bags down and lifted it.

Grabbing the silver key, I moved to unlock the door.

Once I had it open, I took in a breath, then looked down at Soraya and asked, “Are you ready?”

She nodded.

I pushed open the door and knew, just knew by the sight of cobwebs and dust, this was going to be a lot of work.

And I really couldn’t blame the man.

He had told me that the house had been sitting empty for the longest time.

That was why the rent was cheap.

But I had to make what I had last until I could find a job and get Soraya enrolled in first grade.

Taking another breath, I set our things down, and then we walked through the house.

Her little hand clutched in mine, swaying.

And when we turned the corner to the other bedroom, Soraya smiled up at me, “Mine.”

I winked down at her, “Yours.”

After we took in the small house, I locked the door back up, loaded up in the car, and found a store that sold cleaning supplies.

Hours later.

Back hurting.

Arms yelling at me.

The two bedrooms, the living room, the kitchen, and the one bathroom were blissfully clean.