Oki is rescued.
A special thank you to my friend Jim for his editing, without him, I am sure all my stories would be rejected.
This is the beginning of a new story; the main character is Oki. All characters are over the age of 18 and consenting.
I looked up at the dark grey clouds and the snowflakes falling all around me. I hate winter. The snow was already up past my ankles. It was freezing cold out here and I had nowhere to go. I am homeless and have been for nearly six months now.
I wasn't always like this; I once had a loving husband and nice comfortable home. I ended up on the streets after my husband passed away one evening from cardiac arrest. That was almost three years ago. Unfortunately, he had never updated his will before passing. Everything he owned, including our house went to his children who hated me. After close to two years in legal battles, I lost. I had only what I brought into the marriage. And after six months of staying with friends, I was out in the street.
Life on the street is hard, hell, it's not hard, it's almost impossible. I cry myself to sleep most nights when I find a safe place to sleep. Luckily, I have never been sexually assaulted.
My name is Oki, and it is very ironic that I have that name as you will find out as I share my story.
It must have been around 25 degrees and snowing. I left the library a few hours ago to try and beg for enough money to buy myself a hot meal and some coffee this evening. I had maybe $15 dollars to my name. I felt rich today.
I wandered around the city for a while until I couldn't take the cold anymore. I tried to find a restaurant or café that would serve me, but I was refused service at each place I tried. I was on the verge of tears again.
I found a somewhat clean alley and ducked in to get out of the blowing wind. I took shelter next to a large dumpster. I sat down in the corner of the wall and dumpster wondering if I would survive the cold night. Some nights I was lucky and got a bed in a shelter, not tonight however. I was left out in the cold.
I was near tears again and shivering from the freezing temperatures when a door in the alley burst open and a man carrying out trash came into the alley. He was dressed in a very nice suit and muttering obscenities as he trudged through the snow that had already piled up. He walked right past me without noticing me huddled in the corner. When the lid slammed shut, I was startled and yelped. The man came around the corner and looked straight at me.
From what I could see through the wind and snow flurries, he was young, younger than me with sandy colored hair and blue eyes. He reached down and took my hand, pulling me to my feet. I stood and looked up at him as he towered over me. I am only around 5'1". He had to be over 6' tall. With a smile he invited me out of the cold. I nodded and followed him.
The man led me through the door he came, it led to a large kitchen for a restaurant. The smell of food had me almost drooling and it did have my stomach growling loudly. I heard a soft chuckle as he led me through the kitchen and into a small break room. The man asked me to have a seat and then left.
The man returned carrying a serving tray filled with food. He put a bowl of soup and a plate of lasagna and garlic bread before me. I smiled widely and looked up at this generous man.
"Eat, then we can talk". He said and left me alone.
I attacked the bowl of soup, but as the wonderful flavors hit my tongue, I slowed to enjoy and savor this wonderfully hot delicious food. I sat and ate everything the man had put in front of me. It was all very delicious and I was stuffed for the first time since being on the street.
I started to gather my meager belongings and put my jackets back on when the man came back in the room and sat at the table "please sit back down" he asked, but it seemed more like an order. I nodded and returned to my seat.
The man asked about my history and education. I answered all his questions. I was surprised when he offered me a waitress job and a small one room apartment above the kitchen. I was crying tears of joy.
"Don't get your hopes up too much, many women have come and gone from this place" he said. He went on to explain that I was in the kitchen of a very unique private club that catered to wealthy individuals and their very private interests. He said his name was Chris and he had inherited the club from his father.