Crystal woke up, her back stiff from sleeping on the floor. "Mommy?",she called.
When there was no answer Crystal sighed. her mom worked all the time as a waitress. It was a little diner where all of the men came to watch sports and hit on her mom. That was the main thing that bothered Crystal. I mean, most of the men were married, they had no right to hit on her mom.
Crystal and her mother Julie lived in a run down apartment in Chicago .It was better than before when they lived at a homeless shelter. Then her mom got a job. Ever since her father had left them 4 years ago when Crystal was 3 life had never been the same. Now that she was 7 she knew more about life and tough luck than most adults learn in a lifetime. Crystal breathed deep and got up. She walked into the kitchen and washed up in the sink. She closed her eyes tightly but when she opened them the same moldy brown walls stared back at her. Crystal touched the gold cross hanging around her neck. No matter what the circumstances the Lopez family had never missed church. Father McNeil had done so much for their family. The apartment was freezing. that was one thing about chicago, the coldness could freeze hell in a millasecond. Good thing Crystal had found that fleece jacket at a thrift shop. the went and put it on.
Just as she was zipping it up a volcanoe exploded in her stomache as it growled. It was no surprise to find nothing but some bread and cottage cheese in the fridge. So she got four dollars out of the money jar hidden under a loose floorboard and got ready to go to the store. The wind stung her face and chapped lips as she forced her way down the street. Crystal didn't feel safe in her neighborhood but luckily the grocery store was only a block away.Finally after what seemed like an eternity she arrived at the store. The heater hit her face like the summer sun.
"Good morning Mr.Cabot," she said.
"Ah, Good morning Crystal, if you need any help just hollar,"Mr.Cabot replied happily.
"Thankyou"
Crystal headed straight for the milk and got 2 pints of whole milk. Next she got some bagels and then tomato soup, her favorite.Then she carried her items up to Mr.Cabot to ring up.
"That'll be $3.75", he said.
Crystal handed him the crinkled bills happy that she had enough money. she clung onto the quarter in change and raced home.
As soon as she got inside she put everything away and ate half of a bagel and a slice of bread. She saved the soup to share with her mom at supper.
Crystal cleaned up the apartment best she could and set the mouse trap in the corner. Their apartment had 3 rooms, a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen.After she finished she went to take a nap. She must have slept a long time because when she woke up her mom was sitting next to her.
"How was your day?" her mother asked. "Fine, I went to the store,"Crystal replied. "Thankyou so much, I love you. Now let's go have some soup."
They ate their soup in silence and after cleaning up they laid down in the bedroom and Julie sang a sweet melody until Crystal fell asleep, knowing that tomorrow would be the same but wishing it wouldn't.
Even though Crystal Lopez does not exist her story holds true for thousands of other children just like her. Many aren't even fortunate to have a place to call home and people to call family. But there are tons of ways you can help, donate that old sweater in your closet, donate a can of peas, work at a soup kitchen, or even just say a prayer. Peace You can join Unsolved Mysteries and post your own mysteries or
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Halloween is Right around the corner.. .
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Such a well written and moving story, you've done here. I actually had to shiver a little at the thought of that icey Chicago morning. Excellant, descriptive writing. Write on 
