Green Ideas

Petra was happy to be home. She loved the smell of her own sheets. They were soft and warm, unlike the hospital's hard and stale offerings. This was the happiest Petra had been in over a week. After the mugging, Petra was depressed and heavy. She didn't want to move. This was the first time she felt independent and free.

After last night's thoughts about going to New York, Petra began to seriously consider it. She talked to Lucy Collins on her way out of the clinic, who was apparently being checked in by her mother. Lucy encouraged Petra to move forward with her plan.

Petra was unsure and afraid of the unknown. As much as she hated her life, she didn't know how to make a sudden change. Lucy told her that she should go with her instinct. If that meant going to New York, Petra should do it.

Petra began to rummage through her desk, throwing bills and magazines onto the floor. At the bottom of the pile she found it. A thick manilla envelope that she hadn't touched in years. The edges of the envelope were torn from wear and abandonment.

Petra slowly tore off the sticky seal that kept its contents enclosed. She reached her hand inside to find a thick wad. As she pulled it out dollar signs began to appear.

10's, 20's, and even 100's spewed out. This was an apology gift from Petra's mother years ago that Petra put off, in disgust of her mother's behavior when she was a child. But now, Petra needed the money. She frantically organized the bills by numerical value. It didn't take her long to determine the amount that now covered her floor.

$1,021. It was enough for Petra to take a train to New York and find temporary housing. The money gave her a bit of relief, knowing that she had financial security as a back-bone.

Petra began to pace around the room thinking of her next move. She wanted to leave tomorrow, but knew that wasn't possible with her current state of mind. She needed time to think. But, she could only wait so long.