from beneath a faded coat of paint just behind the rear tires. Tanya sat in the driver’s seat, smiling as

she recalled that nearly every trip concerning the sleeping child next to her had been in this car.

She admitted as she thought about the last stop they’d made before leaving Columbus. It had been to

the cemetery, Tanya visiting the last remaining evidence of Lisa’s father. As they stood, the dark

tombstone etched with the name of Rasmussin failed to make an impression on the child’s somber eyes, her

boredom overshadowing any feelings of respect or remorse.

Lisa’s eyes hadn’t always been that way, and Tanya recalled vividly the first time they’d visited the

gravesite. She could still see the babies’ breath intermingled within the small bouquet of flowers in her hand.

happened next reiterated to her just how important it was for her to keep struggling, her legacy encased in

the small body of a helpless child. Lisa turned towards her, hand out.

What is it, honey-?

I want one, too-

One what-?

I want that flower-

She said, pointing a tiny finger toward a lone daisy protruding from the arrangement. Tanya bent down

and pulled the stem from the foil base. Handing it to Lisa, she then rose, her morose feet pausing as she

arrived at the headstone. Leaving the flowers at the base, she backed away, silent in her reverence.

Tanya stood still, fighting her tears. She watched as Lisa bend down, taking extreme care as she placed

her solitary daisy next to the bouquet. Overwhelmed with a sense of pride, it faded to sadness as Lisa

backed away, tiny hands clasped behind her. Beaming with exultation, Lisa smiled at her

mother. She turned, staring as the white petals contrasted the perfectly manicured grass in a striking

manner. Tanya felt a deep stirring within the well of her tears, the selfless act shaming her. In that moment,

she was reminded of the simplicity of life, as the warm blade of compassion sliced through the crust of her

The woman tapped on the brakes as she turned her attention to the road, approaching the turn ahead

far too slow in the estimation of the commuters lined up behind her. Horns blared, and Tanya’s weary eyes

turned as she checked her mirrors, her expression letting them know their opinions had been duly noted.

She pulled to the curb and vehicles raced past, engines gunning, fists upraised, all directed at the

newcomer with foreign plates.

She thought as she glanced up, reading a small street sign welcoming her to the area.

Her eyes searched the far side of the thoroughfare for an address, numbers, something; anything that

might give her a clue as to where she was. She’d originally thought Chicago would be a nice change,

and was now wondering if that would indeed be the case. The past half an hour certainly hadn’t supported

that conclusion. Reaching down, her fingers fished out a slip of paper from underneath the atlas that lay

across the console. She held it up, reading the numbers out loud.

Five oh three eight, Sheridan… Perfect-

She uttered as her eyes searched the buildings up ahead, settling on a spot approximately two blocks

away. Tanya cranked the wheel, pulling back out onto the street, the trailer jerking in rebellion as she

The vehicle, coaxed on, now built up speed. She was able to catch the next light, and in a display of

delight, wriggled in her seat, pleased the deities had smiled upon her. Her eyes searched the buildings,

figuring her destination lay just ahead. A sigh escaped as she drove right past it. The

woman circled the block, then pulled into a near-empty parking lot on the corner. As she put the

gearshift into park, she viewed her surroundings with more than a little skepticism as she shut down the

engine and removed her keys.

Honey, we’re home-

The girl in the seat blinked a few times, her face scrunching up, followed by a deep yawn. She put her

hands behind her head and stretched, eyes suddenly aware of the tall buildings surrounding them.

This doesn’t look like Grandma and Grandpa’s house. Or ours-

Lisa turned on her mother with a look of defiance.

I don’t like it-

I know honey, but we’ll be fine, trust me-

I don’t think so. It looks dirty-

Tanya slipped out of the car, lungs grateful for the moist, scratchy air of the city. Her jeans and white

blouse clung to her, and grabbing hold of the fabric, worked it like an accordion, the motion doing little to

Tanya grabbed her hand, then turned, her neck craning as she gazed at the stoic monstrosities as they

towered over them. The woman stood, sensing the age and strangeness of this place, aware the concrete

beneath her feet had to be many decades her senior. Lisa pulled her hand from her mother’s grip.

Mom, I don’t need you doing this-

They crossed the street, slipping into the bustle of the unknown world revolving around them. Tanya

paused in front of a doorway that led into a tall, brick building. She removed the scrap of paper from her

pocket, and gazing at it, compared the numbers to those etched into the brick above.

This is it-

She said, and the two stepped inside. They found the rental office on the first floor, Tanya stopping in

front of a thick pane of glass, peering through the hole in the center. A man sat behind a wooden desk, his

head buried in the newspaper, the fingers supporting it well accustomed to their position.

A silver bell sat on the narrow ledge next to her. She banged on it twice, rewarded as the paper

dropped a couple inches, revealing a pair of dark eyes appearing above the top margin. Tanya leaned

forward, directing her voice through the opening.

Hello-?

Hang on, give me a minute-

desk. Tanya cast Lisa a consoling smile as the clerk appeared at the counter.

Okay, now. What can I help you with-?

I’m supposed to move in today. Apartment three twenty-two-

The man’s eyebrows gathered, his lips pursing. He looked away, coughed, then started for the desk,

where he picked up a notebook. Clearing his throat, he thumbed through the entries, his expression

turning blank.

Is there a problem-?

Tanya asked. His eyes returned to her, a single finger aloft.

Hang on a moment, please-?

The man’s eyes ran the length of the page. He folded the notebook closed with both hands, lowering

his head as if he were at a vigil. When he looked up, he waited until he had Tanya’s full attention.

That apartment was rented three days ago. What’s the name-?

Evans, Tanya Evans. I made arrangements, ah, nearly a month ago-

Her fingers clamped onto the narrow ledge, searching for any semblance of hope as she felt her

I, I put down a deposit as well-

Do you mind if I check on something-?

He asked, eyes pleading for patience as he made his way around the desk and sat down.

No, no, I suppose not-

Tanya muttered, her open palm shown to the air. The man opened the drawer to his right, removed a

folder, and then sorted through its contents. He wandered over, attention still centered on something

there. He set the folder on the ledge, turning it around for her to see through the thick glass.

…Looks like we ran into a problem. Says here that

we tried to contact you. That was three weeks ago-

Tanya’s hand gravitated to her mouth, eyes bulging as the prospect of being homeless their first night in

this new city became a distinct possibility.

Oh, my-

Eyes that had been confident were now cast deep with fear as they turned to Lisa, who looked away and