TUESDAY TALES - PICTURE PROMPT

Welcome! This week we have a picture prompt, and can only use 300 words. We have another episode of Midnight in Central Park. Scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales. Thanks for stopping by! 

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“Today’s your lucky day,” said Mrs. Plaid as she pushed up from her desk. “We’ve found  you a foster home.”

I lifted an eyebrow. “Really?”

“Yeah. And a good one. A great one, in fact.”

Anything to get out of that hellhole. “Okay. Where.”

“Come on. I’ll show you.”

I stood up.

“Grab your bag.”

“What about Ma?”

“It’s going to be okay. You’ll see.”

I didn’t tell her about my bag stashed in the Park. That was my back-up plan. After I knew where they’d bury Ma, I’d take off. No way was I going to be somebody’s fucking charity case. I’d hitch to the west coast. Didn’t know anyone where, but hell, my life here was finished. Might as well start over.

I followed Mrs. Plaid into a building on West End. She rang the doorbell. Sweat started under my arms.

“Hello. I believe you know Jamie, Mrs. Gold?”

“Yes, I do. Come in.”

Holy shit! My teacher! Mrs. Gold? Really?

“This way. You must be hungry,” she said, leading me over to a round table with a tablecloth. There were plates with cheese, fruit and brownies. And a big glass of milk. Whole milk. My mouth watered.

“It’s okay. Here’s a plate.” She handed a china plate with flowers on it. Geez. Ma and I always used paper. She pulled out a chair.

“Sit, Jamie. You’re going to stay with Mr. and Mrs. Gold for a while. Okay?”

I nodded, then eyed the grapes. Don’t remember last time I ate fruit. I snapped a couple off the vine. Damn. They were good.

“Eat something, then we’ll get you settled in your room.”

My room? I had a room?

“It was my son’s, but he’s grown and on his own now.”

I filled the plate and gobbled down the food.

TUESDAY TALES

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