Little Black Book

The air was cold and breezy on December 15, 2004. On this particular night, the demons looked for light to cast their shadows. The midnight hour set in as demons and shadows began to dance. They zeroed in on Melinda Cline.

Melinda, by design, was a loner, driven, and focused. She was an addict that was hell-bent on losing herself. Although most people saw her as a hard worker some thought of her as a smart dumbass. All her miss adventures and relationships shortly followed. She began to suffer from a vicious cycle of drugs and depression. Melinda liked to think she was a recovering addict. She had found many sobering times throughout the years. She was still an addict all the same. She began to think of all the ways she had failed others. How could anyone still be able to say they love her. She could not love herself. She had become to hate herself.

The next Melinda continued to battle the demons. Accepting defeat, she tried to silence them. She woke up wondering why she was still alive. Why had she been spared? Why was she alive? What was so special about her. to change. Feeling the weight of her burdens she had sworn she was ready to change. She began to bargain. She thought of all the ways of if you do this I'll do that. She quickly corrected herself thinking, "Life doesn't work that way, we do what we want by design." She found determination in the solace in proving everyone wrong. She found hope the further the days in between usage became. She started to mend relationships she had destroyed. After months of soul searching and moving forward, she wanted to see how this new version of her would hold up to a test. She allowed herself to accept this test.

On the first day of the test, she showed signs of self-control. On the second she was quickly losing her newfound self. She knew the signs of losing herself and quickly changed her thought process. Life was full of tests there was no need to test herself. She began to feel stupid. Feelings of guilt crept onto her.

Melinda gathered her thoughts and decided she would keep this miss adventure a secret. She felt as though people looked down on her enough. As the days of shame took its' toll. She began to tire. She was being fake. Her newfound self was happy but also casting shade.

Riding the bus home one day, Melinda's attention was suddenly shifted to a bag that was hiding under the seat. As she bent down to pick up the bag she realized there was something inside. A cold, square, leather, black book appeared. She opened the tiny book and began to examine the contents.

Hello reader,

Hope this book finds you during a great time of need. If you follow my instructions properly you will find a great gift or inheritance of twenty-thousand dollars. I have laid out steps by days. You choose where this journey will lead you.

Be warned! Tell no one! Be patient!

Day 1. Give yourself to someone in need.

Day 2 Give yourself kindness.

Day 3. Give yourself love.

Day 4. Give yourself hope.

Day 5. Give yourself strength in a moment of weakness.

Day 6 Give yourself peace.

Day 7. Give thanks!

Day 8. Give yourself an honest answer.

Day 9. Give yourself acceptance.

Day 10. Give yourself a sense of being worthy.

Day 11. Give yourself a purpose.

Day 12. Give yourself a dream.

Day 13 Give yourself the realization of dreams.

Day 14. Give thanks!

Melinda laughed quietly for a second. "You have got to be kidding me," she said under her breath. She quickly tucked the book back under the seat. As the bus began to slow for her stop she decided to take the book with her. Maybe this was just the self-help book she needed. She didn't care about finding the money. Sure the money would be nice but if and when could come later. She accepted the journey and began to go to work. She found determination once again. She had found hope and light. She was well on her way to a brighter tomorrow.