The Struggle

 She took her hand. “We can walk”, she said 

“But it’s raining”, the lady said, suddenly insistent. 

“I have an umbrella, you can join me.”

“Are you sure?”

Elaina nodded. “Yeah, we’ll be fine.”

“All right then.” 

Elaina turned and opened the heavy door. The rain plopped down

 in the puddled streets. She opened her umbrella and pulled her sister outside. 

“We have to hurry to get hom

e in time for dinner”, she said softly.

Melody nodded and followed he

r sister. 

“Ellie?” Mel asked after a couple minutes of walking.

“Yes?”

“Are we having veggies tonight?”

“I don’t know”, Elaina answered truthfully. Vegetables were a treat, but they were expensive. They were a luxury the small family could often not afford. 

The two walked in silence for ano

ther couple of minutes until Mel spoke again. ‘Why didn’t we go in that lady’s car? She seemed nice.”

“I don’t think mom would have liked it if we went in her car.”

“Why?”

“Because mom doesn’t know her.”

“But why?”

“I don’t, Mel. But we are going to keep walking”, Elaina’s was gentle but firm. “We’ll be home soon, and then we can eat.”

Mel jumped over a puddle, then said, “What if I jumped in the puddle?”

“Don’t you dare.”, Elaina replied.

“Please?”

“No. You will be drenched in dirty rain water!”

Mel humphed and jumped over another puddle. 

“Ellie?” Mel said after jumping in six puddles.

“Yes?”

“Im really cold.”

“I told you, we are almost home. Look! Just few more minutes.”

“My feet hurt, can you please carry me?”

“You do realised you’re too big for me to carry you, right? Besides, I have to carry the umbrella.”

“Okay”, Mel pouted. 

The two soon reached the apartment building. They hurried inside and sighed as the warmth enveloped them in a cozy hug. Elaina closed the dripping umbrella and hung it on one of the umbrella racks hanging on the wall.”

A few people greeted the girls as they climbed the two flights of stairs to their apartment. Elaina reached into the pocket of her raincoat and pulled out her emergency key and then went ahead to unlock the door. 

“Come one”, she said to Mel as she led her inside. “Mom’s not home yet but ill try making some snack before she comes. How about change into something dry while I make food.”

“Okay”, Mel replied. She ran to the girl’s room singing ‘Under the sea’ from the little mermaid, her voice bouncing with each step.

Elaina took off her jacket and boots and went to the near-empty cupboard. Pretzels, bread, cheerios, a box of pasta, and a salt shaker. She needed to save the cheerios for breakfast, and the bread for sandwiches, so she decided on the pretzels. She grabbed two paper plates and put a small handful of pretzels on each. 

“Mel!” She called as she filled two plastic cups with 

water. “Your snack is ready!” Mell rain into the room in her pyjamas and quickly ate her food. 

Eliana took more time.

"Can I have more?" Mel begged.

"Not right now, Mel. Mom should be home soon and then we can eat more."

Melody pouted, and Elaina knew how she felt but she couldn't do anything about it. "Come on, I'll read you a story." she said. 

Elaina waited nervously for their mother to come home for nearly an hour, the pain in her stomach growing stronger every moment. She played with her sister to keep her mind off of food."

Finally, the door opened, "Mom!" Mel yelled. The two jumped up and ran into their mother's arms. 

"I'm sorry I came late," their mom apologised. "I had to work extra hours today."

"That's all right," Elaina lied, breaking away from her mother's embrace. 

"We haven't had dinner yet."

A shadow seemed to cross over their mother's face, but it quickly disappeared as she smiled at her children, "I'll make something out of what's left till then why don't you two go and set the table?"

"We already did that, mom!" Mel said proudly. 

"Oh wow! That was very smart of you two, to think ahead."

Mel beamed at her praise and watched eagerly as her mother started making 

dinner. 

Soon the food was ready. It wasn't much, just some pasta with salt and water to wash it all down. But it was enough for all three of them. They went to bed satisfied, even if their stomachs weren't. 

We have to be thankful for what we have and keep the hope alive. If we desire what we have then no matter what our possessions, we are rich.