Creative Writing: Laney Day

Another day has passed, another sunrise witnessed. Laney wakes up on one of the cold, hard benches of Central Park. She looks around to see the same scene as she always does, the fountain, the first group of tourists, and the same trees that she has seen everyday since her parents died. She sits up and a shiver trickles up her spine. Laney looks down at her shoes, filled with holes, her pants, ripped and torn, and her hands, numb and frozen. A couple walks by and glances over at Laney, they start whispering and Laney knows exactly what they're saying, it’s what everyone says. “Aw, poor thing, just look at her clothes, I feel so bad.” Despite what everyone says, very rarely does anyone put money in the old, rusty can Laney found by the trash can. She stands up and starts walking toward the dollar store,
“Morning Laney!” The old owner exclaimed to her, as he does every morning. “Good morning Mr.Curtis! Laney said, beaming up at the only person who has treated her respectfully since the accident. She walked over to the produce section and saw a deal of two bananas for $1.00. She took her two bananas and walked over to the counter. She dug up $1.00 in change and handed it over to Mr.Curtis. “Thanks Laney, you have a nice day now!” Mr.Curtis shouted to Laney as she walked out the door. Laney turned and waved at Mr.Curtis, then headed back to the dreaded park bench. As Laney walked down the busy streets of New York, she started singing a song from “Annie” that her mother used to sing to her. “The sun’ll come out tomorrow, so ya gotta hang on ‘til tomorrow. Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love ya tomorrow! You’re always a day away,” Laney sang as she started to tear up. She hadn’t sung that song since her mother was alive. Laney kept walking and singing that same song until a man in a business suit and tie stopped