Speak to Me

Your eyes could stare a hole through the ground, speak to me, please? You've been sitting out here all night; I've seen you from my window.

silence

How can I help you if you don't tell me what's hurting you?

silence

Listening is what I do best, but if you want someone to sit with you and stare, I can do that, too.

Looks bashfully toward me

Can I ask your name? Mine is Julia.

cracks knuckles

It's getting cold out here in the rain; wanna come inside for some hot chocolate?

eyes widen, shrugs shoulders, head nods yes

Sit wherever you want; here's a towel to dry off a bit.

eyes following me as I make hot chocolate

Everybody here has a bed, food and my only rule is no drugs, no smoking and be kind. Can you agree to that?

nods head yes, takes hot chocolate, looks me in the eyes

So, do you have a name I can call you?

Mmm.

If you don't want to use your real name you don't have to. This is a safe house; doors lock at eight p.m. Nobody can hurt you here.

Alright

Okay "Alright" let's set up your bed and I'll show you your room; you have a room-mate; her name is Sam.

No.

No? No to what?

I don't wanna sleep with nobody I don't know.

Okay, then you can sleep on the sofa after we get you some dry clothes.

No.

No to what?

I don't want nobody's ole clothes.

Well, "Alright", if you wanna sleep on my sofa you can't be sopping wet.

Fine.

So you will put on dry clothes for me? I have lots of clean girls clothes, all sizes, even pyjamas if you want.

Alright.

Here you go then, do sweatpants, a tee-shirt and warm socks sound good to you "Alright"?

Minnie.

Minnie is your name?

nods

Minnie is much better than "Alright".

little laugh

Okay, you are all set up now. Want to talk after breakfast tomorrow? Doors are locked and don't open again until after breakfast. Feel safe?

shrugs shoulders, nods head

Minnie, do you feel afraid of anything now?

Closing my eyes; I want to keep them open.

You can keep them open then but you have to stay on the sofa unless you need to use the toilet; if you are scared, my room is off the kitchen; just knock. Sound good?

Mmm.

Goodnight, Minnie.

Wait!

Yes, Minnie?

Can I sleep with you?

You'd have to sleep on the floor as it's against policy for girls to sleep in the same bed with staff.

I never slept in a bed so I don't mind none.

Well, how about I sleep on the floor and you get my bed to try it out!

Alright.