Well, if I'm gonna tell you my story I guess I should tell you my name first. Marlene Hendrix, nice to meet ya. My life hasn't always been this crazy, there was a time when my family was just as normal as any other. Then one night when I was 5, my mom went out and never came back. at first my dad didn't think about it as much because she always went out hiking, or on some adventure one night a month. But, after a couple of days it became apparent that she wasn't coming back. Dad reported her as missing but there wasn't any news on her case after a couple weeks and she has since been gone. From there my dad just went down hill with his drinking and he stopped really caring for anything, even me. I didn't see this as really bad until... well I'll let you read the story.

-In a small house in Missouri-

"She left because of you!" Dad yelled after coming home late from a bar. "She didn't want a kid that would amount to nothing!" Dd threw the vase at the wall

"Dad Stop!"

"No one wants you!" He said then slapped me and I fell to the ground. I got up and ran to my room crying and slid my back down the locked door as my father banged against it, trying to burst in. Once he made a dent, I made the decision to climb out of my window and run. I didn't know exactly where I was going to go at first but I knew I just couldn't be there. I ended up just walking around the park for a few hours till sunrise. Then and only then did I start to make my way home. Can I even call it that? That house sure didn't feel homey or welcoming like a home should. Anyway, I made my way to the house where I live and snuck back in through my window. I knew my father would be passed out on the couch in the living room but, I didn't want to see him right now.

As I snuck back in I tried to be as quiet as humanly possible. I only come back to get some necessities and some money. I hurriedly grabbed my backpack and began to fill it with clothes, smell goods, money and my pepper spray that was on a key ring. After getting all of my stuff, I put on some warm clothes and started my journey to the bus station. I know where to go now.

The bus ride was long, I mean that was expected when you're going from Missouri all the way to New Orleans. Why am I going to New Orleans you say? I'm going to stay with my grandparents. My father's parents. You may ask why I'm doing this. Won't they rat you out? Call your father? Well, they always have taken care of me, even when my dad wasn't in the best mental state, kinda like now, they took me in and never took away the fun things that kids should experience, like my father did. They always gave me the best, and always let me be a kid. As a kid the best part about the whole year was the promise of staying here for the summer. The people, the music, not to mention the food here is amazing. Every corner you turn there is a person playing something, wether it's a saxophone, buckets as drums, singing, flute, all kinds of make shift instruments.

Finally, the bus stops, I make my way off the bus and into the city. I stop and just take a whiff of this life, just as I remember it. I was making my way to my grandparents house when my stomach rumbled. I'll stop and get something to eat first. I stop by this restaurant I use to go to as a kid, Rousseau's. I know it's also a bar but the gumbo here is to die for.

"Mari?" I hear as I walk in and look around. I look to where the voice came from. To see one of the waitresses.

"Harper?" I ask. She looks the exact same from the last time I was here. Harper was my best friend when I stayed here. Once we were together nothing could stop us. Now that I think about it, it was so bad, bit it was so fun. We hug.

"Never thought I would see you around here again after not seeing you for 5 years." She said as we pull away from the hug. Last time I was here I was 11 and Harper was 10.

"It wasn't my choice, but I missed you so much. Life wasn't the same back home without my partner in crime." I smirked to her at the last part and she chuckled. Probably reminiscing about all the trouble we caused as kids.

"What are you doing working here? I thought they wouldn't hire till we were like 16." I said

"Well, my aunt Laura owns the place now. She lets me work a few hours to earn some extra money."

"That's nice"

"Well, follow me, grab a seat." I do so.

"What can I get ya?"

"Just y'alls famous gumbo and a beignet please" beignets are basically fried chocolate glory

"Coming right up." She smiles and walks off. While I'm alone my thoughts just get the best of me. Did dad mean what he said? Was coming here the right decision? Will everything work out? Only thing that snaps me out of my thoughts is Harper coming back with my order. We talk some more until her aunt comes over from the back of the establishment probably to tell her that there are people at her other table.

"Harper, there are oth-" Her words stop short as she sees me. " Well, well, well, if it isn't little Ms, Hendrix. How you been chile?" She asked me

"I've been fine. I've decided to come live with my grandparents." If they take me in. I leave that part out though

"That's wonderful dear I hope to see you around. I hate to take Harper, but we're low on employees right now."

"No, I totally understand. If you ever need help I would love to work here. Harper here's my number."

"Well in that case, we can have you start next week. Give you some time to get settled." Laura replies to the first part of my statement and Harper just nods her head and says she'll give me a call. Then walks over to her table to help the customers.

"Thank you so much" I replied

"No problem, see you later honey." She walks off. I finish my food and pay with a tip. Then make my way to my grandparents house