One Dress Page #2

Olivia is left with only the clothes on her back when her world burns down. Will this one dress be what ends up saving her?

• Fiction
• Religion
• Short story
• Spirituality & New Age
• Drama

								

       When the shift was over, Finn told me that he would walk me home. I decided that I would just tell him one of the houses near the park was mine, and then head towards our car once he left. We talked about a lot of things in such a short period of time. It was one walk, just one conversation, but it made all the difference to me. He told me about what he wanted to do for the world and how he wanted to help as many people as possible. His parents had a non-profit organization that, ironically enough, provided homeless people with a place to live until they could get back on their feet again. 
       I didn’t confess to him what was really going on. I didn't think it was possible to tell him that I had lied, especially after he had pretty much told me every hope and dream that could possibly be hiding inside of a boy so young. When I saw our car through the bushes, I realized it was time for my little escape to end.
       “Thank you, Finn. It was very nice to meet you. I hope everything goes well with your plans, and I hope to see you again sometime,” I said as I walked toward a house that I had never even seen before. 
       “It was fun, Olivia. I’m glad I didn’t let you try to leave early,” he said with a smirk.
       I smiled and started to walk up the steps to the porch of an unknown house. When he was out of sight, I walked back down the steps and slowly made my way to the car. My parents were back, but not with the good news I was hoping for. Instead, they had blankets and pillows. I knew we would be staying in our car for a while longer. I don’t remember doing much the rest of that day. Mentally, I was still back at the shelter with my new friends. I told my parents about my adventure, but left out the minor detail of me completely lying about who I was and what I was doing there. My parents and I hadn't had a day like that where we didn’t lock ourselves in our rooms or offices, in a long time.
       As much as I may have hated to admit in the moment, I had a good time that day. I felt like I could actually talk to my parents without them either looking right through me, or tearing me apart to figure out what I really meant. They heard me that day, and I heard them. It was as if I was their little girl again, laughing and carrying on, not even realizing the struggles that lay ahead. I never even realized, until that day, just how tall my dad was, or how much my mom’s eyes sparkled when she smiled. I was happy, even despite my whole world being flipped upside down. I thought we had lost everything, but it almost started to seem as though we were preparing to find lives we should have been living all along. 
       I felt a little less warm inside when I remembered we had to sleep in the car. 
       My mom’s soft tone, however, as she whispered, ”Good night Olivia. I love you, sweet girl,” seemed to put me right to sleep. 
       I dreamed about the shelter that night, and all the people I met there. I felt guilty for lying to all of those genuine people, but part of me was glad that they didn’t know about my situation. I got away with it, and they never even suspected a thing. The next morning however, everything changed. 
       I woke up before my parents, so I decided to go out and sit on a bench in the park. I closed my eyes and listened as the birds sang their morning melody, and I felt safe. I felt as though nothing could break me from my security and comfort, but I was wrong.
       “Well, look who it is,” I heard from a familiar voice. 
       At first, I was so glad to see Finn. That was, until I realized what was going to happen. If my dress didn’t give hint enough, everything was abruptly exposed when he saw my parents sleeping in the car.
       “Olivia, what’s going on?” I heard him say though the pain in his voice. 
       I wanted to make up an excuse, but the scared little girl inside of me couldn’t hide anymore. I began to cry and I explained everything to him. I started to ramble on and I couldn’t stop apologizing to him. I said I was sorry for lying, but mostly, I couldn't stand that I was putting so much weight on someone I had just met the day before. Finn told me that his parents could find us somewhere to stay. I felt a sense of relief, but I was hesitant to accept, so I told him that I didn’t think it was really necessary.
       “Olivia, I have dedicated my life to helping strangers. What makes you think I wouldn’t do everything I can to help someone I truly care about?” 
       I introduced him to my parents, and we ended up taking a walk to his family’s non-proof center. To say it was anything but a miracle would be lying. They found us a home that day and I finally felt like everything would be okay. It definitely wasn’t an easy journey trying to get our lives back on track, and we never really were the same again. Honestly, I think that was the best thing that resulted from this experience. We changed. We grew into a family that can love each other for who we are, and love our lives for all that we have. I learned something in those few days, and I carried it with me throughout our journey. I may have had one dress and one messed up life, but I also had this one important lesson. I have discovered a beautiful love and appreciation for life. While the fabric on my dress fades, it will only grow stronger and brighter. That is one truth that will never burn down, and I will never lose.
       
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